The XU Social Involvement and Advocacy Program (SIAP) hosted the second Brown Bag Session titled XU Atiman Kinaiyahan: Building a Greener Future through Tree Growing, held on 2 October 2024, at the AVR 3. The session aimed to articulate the program’s objectives to key stakeholders within the Xavier University community, promote active participation among stakeholders, and explore opportunities for program enhancement. Members of XU Atiman Kinaiyahan, Laudato Si’, and Green Campus Agenda Committees, as well as key unit and student representatives, attended the session.
In his opening message, Mr Nestor Banuag Jr, SIAP Director, highlighted that, as a Laudato Si’ University, this initiative is intended to become an institutional effort that benefits the environment and inspires all members of the community to fulfill their roles as stewards of nature.
As lead presenter, Engr Lennie K Ong, Project Director of the Campus of the Future Development Office, focused her presentation by emphasizing the program’s aim to empower the Xavier Ateneo community to expand green spaces and adopt watersheds to improve air quality, build climate resilience, and conserve biodiversity. The program seeks to plant 15,000 seedlings of indigenous trees (Narra), endemic tree species (Kulasi Lumnitzera racemosa Willd), and hills of bamboo over the next five years, emphasizing community-wide involvement rather than just a select few.
She also discussed the benefits of endemic and indigenous trees, highlighting their role in enhancing biodiversity by providing essential habitats for local wildlife, improving soil health and water quality, sequestering carbon to combat climate change, and offering sustainable resources for local communities.
The XU Atiman Kinaiyahan activities focus on program launching, seed collection, propagation, donation, and tree-growing initiatives. To ensure the program’s success and greater university community involvement, the Tree Growing Program Committee has been formed, composed of different units of the University, with Campus of the Future Development as the lead unit.
To date, recent activities conducted include the program launching in El Gaucho, bamboo planting, tree propagation, seed collection, native tree seedling donation (CLI and Fr Arman Samonte SJ), and collaboration with NSTP, JHS, and SHS. Engr Ong concluded her presentation with a call for collaboration in the tree growing program (identifying locations for seed collection, propagating at home, organizing seedling collection drives, tree growing, and monitoring), encouraging everyone to join efforts in building a greener future together.
After the presentation, three reactors and experts in their field provided valuable insights. Mr Danilo Zapanta from the Basic Education Cluster shared his realization on how the project aligns with Laudato Si, emphasizing that tree planting is a continuous process. He mentioned that one of the school’s formation programs, PUKAW, a Grade 7 initiative, focuses on environmental awareness, engaging students in addressing various environmental challenges. Dr Guada Calalang from the College of Agriculture shared insights on the importance of trees, the factors to consider before tree planting (such as land knowledge, tree species diversity, seedling maintenance, and impact mitigation), collaboration with industries working on carbon sync, and opportunities for research and projects with SDN Phils Network and PICE. Ms Aibezell Navarro, Nature Crusaders Representative, expressed how she was inspired by the experts’ insights and the active involvement of different communities.
The open forum provided additional insights and suggestions, showcasing strong community commitment to the tree-growing program. Emphasis was placed on the formation aspect for students through processing and preparation sessions (NSTP and JHS), aiming for personal transformation and greater environmental awareness. A proposal was made to develop educational materials to raise awareness among students. Participants, especially students, showed enthusiasm for the call to action and suggested involving other XU student organizations (UNITASS, Ateneo Mountaineering Society, and Nature Crusaders) to boost participation. Suggestions were also made to explore potential partnerships with institutions such as Ayala Land, STEAG, and Minergy for logistical support like transportation and seedling donations. Concerns about tree health and sustainability post-planting, as well as long-term planning for the trees, were raised. Addressing these challenges collaboratively and implementing the proposed ideas can help maximize the program’s impact and success.
In her synthesis, Ms Fritzie Rapadas from the Basic Education Cluster highlighted that the initiative reflects Xavier University’s commitment to environmental responsibility, promoting a culture of stewardship as part of its identity as a Laudato Si University. Her synthesis served as a call to action, encouraging the university community to participate in building a greener future by spreading awareness of environmental issues and the importance of stewardship.
Dr Ann Charlette Cabana from the Campus of the Future Development Office concluded the session by expressing gratitude to the participants and inviting them to remain dedicated to the goals established during the event. She urged everyone to approach future tree-growing activities with passion and commitment, underscoring the potential for collective impact.