“This is a privileged day for us as we mark a significant milestone in our academe’s journey towards a more sustainable future.” This was stated by University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, Dr. Jean A. Saludadez, as she highlighted the major role of the University in leveraging its unique capabilities in education, research, community engagement, and policy advocacy, and how these functions significantly contribute to environmental efforts.

The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between UPOU and Energy Development Corporation (EDC), was signed on 05 June 2024 at the Teaching and Learning Hub (TLH) Conference Room, UPOU Headquarters, Los Baños, Laguna. This agreement embodies the collective commitment to ecosystem restoration  and biodiversity conservation through the establishment of a permanent one hectare planting area of native trees at the southeastern portion of UPOU Headquarters, beside the UPOU International Convention Center (ICC). The area  will serve as the UPOU-EDC BINHI Native Forest Arboretum and Restoration Project. This MOA signifies more than just a partnership; it represents a shared vision and a unified resolve to address pressing environmental issues of our time. The collaboration focuses on restoration interventions, biodiversity conservation and nature-based solutions, community engagement and environmental education, and promotion of sustainable forest management practices. 

Based on the MOA, UPOU shall designate, establish, and develop a permanent land area within the university premises under the framework  of a sustainable campus as the BINHI Arboretum. The university will also provide an annual update on the status of the seedlings in terms of growth parameters, survival/mortality, and actual flowering/fruiting season for the EDC’s BINHI website and database. EDC, on the other hand, shall provide a minimum of 100 seedlings of threatened and other Philippine native tree species sufficient for the BINHI Arboretum.

The signing proper was attended by UPOU representatives, namely: Dr. Jean A. Saludadez, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, Dr. Joane V. Serrano, Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS) Dean, Dr. Finaflor F. Taylan, Office of Gender Concerns (OGC) Director, Ms. Margaret Jarmin-Suarez, PDA for Institutional Linkages, and Asst. Prof. Karl Abelard Edberto Villegas, Jr., faculty member and Program Chair of the Diploma in/Master of Environment and Natural Resources Management (D/MENRM). Representatives from EDC were For. Jimson S. Solatre, Head of EDC Corporate Relations Office, For. Ronino C. Gibe, Watershed Management Officer Lead of BINHI Program, and Ms. Ronalyn B. Briones, EDC Partnership Officer. 

In his opening remarks, For. Solatre provided an overview of the EDC’s commitment to environmental goals. EDC,  a company engaged in the exploration and development of geothermal and other renewable energy resources for power generation, is spearheading a nationwide reforestation and biodiversity conservation undertaking called “BINHI” which aims to arrest forest degradation, contribute to climate change mitigation and biodiversity protection, and provide sustainable livelihood for forest communities, among others. “We are here to make it official in aligning both our goals, believing that a forest arboretum can serve as a multifunctional space that benefits the environment, community, and future generations,” Solatre remarked.

Following the event, a ceremonial tree planting was also held at the project site, located beside the UPOU ICC where partner signatories planted a total of five Philippine native trees to represent the foundation of a strong and resilient partnership between these institutions. The forest species of Ipil (Intsia bijuga), Tindalo (Afzelia rhomboidea), Supa (Sindora supa), Kamatog (Sympetalandra densiflora) and Banuyo (Wallaceodendron celebicum) under the leguminous Fabaceae family were planted. To make it more meaningful and memorable, the names of participants who planted each seedling were inscribed on the tag with the name of the tree.

Faculty members and staff from UPOU-FMDS who also participated during the ceremony were Asst. Prof. Milben Bragais, Asst. Prof. Lorena Jean D. Saludadez, Asst. Prof. Regine Karla P. Bagalanon, Asst. Prof. Ari Luis C. Halos, Asst. Prof. Remsce A. Pasahol, Mr. Larry Cruz, Ms. Wyomia Pradas, Ms. Josephine Macale, Ms. Maryjane Reondanga, Ms. Janele Belegal, Ms. Raizza Anna Alforja, Ms. Janelle Ebron, Ms. Dina Mae Rejano, Ms. Noreen Dianne Alazada, Ms. Anne Pauline Del Rosario, and Mr. Justin Tolentino.

Moreover, the activity mainly celebrated the World Environment Day 2024 with this year’s theme “Land Restoration, Desertification and Drought Resilience,” as a rallying call for the protection and revival of ecosystems all around the world towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), particularly SDGs 11, 15 and 17.

Written by: Raizza Anna Alforja • Edited by: Asst. Prof. Karl Abelard Edberto Villegas, Jr. and Mr. Larry Cruz

Sustainable Development Goals

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