by Jenalyn Audrey D. De Guzman
BAY, LAGUNA — The Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC) conducted a tree planting activity at San Antonio Elementary School last March 16, 2011.
BCPC, representatives and Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts--- the smiles on their faces are priceless after conducting the tree planting activity.
It is one of the local institutions that can attend to the needs and rights of children. “Promoting of the best interest of children and the opening and maintenance of playgrounds and day care centers and other services that are necessary for child and youth welfare are some of BCPC’s concerns. Kaugnay nun napagdesisyunan naming na magconduct ng isang activity katulad nitong tree planting,” explained Eddrine Paul Papa, co-chairman of BCPC.
Planting trees with a helping hand is easy. The local community joined forces in order to make San Antonio Elementary school have a pleasant place for their education.
The tree planting activity was made possible by BCPC in cooperation with Municipal Social Welfare and Development (MSWD), Child Abuse Prevention and Intervention (CAPIN), Philippine National Police Bay (PNP), and Bay Rescue Force.
The Sangguniang Barangay of San Antonio, Bay, Laguna was also actively participating in the said event. “First time itong gagawin sa aming barangay, gusto rin naming makatulong sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng lilom at pagprevent sa baha,” Kagawad Cornelio V. Masarap, councilor in charge of health.
The assembly was at the barangay hall of San Antonio at 8 am and together, the BCPC and representatives of the partner organizations and institutions, arrived at San Antonio Elementary School.
They were gladly welcomed by Elena Caldo, president of San Antonio Elementary School. According to Caldo, “malaki ang maitutulong nga mga punong itatanim nila dito sa aming paaralan, dahil sa init ng panahon ay kinakailangan naming ng shade o lilom dito para na rin sa mga batang nag-aaral dito.”
Lei Untalan, MSWD Social Welfare Aid, said that the ones available are 50 Mahogany trees provided upon request from the Department of Agriculture. The MSWD representatives are also present for supervising the said activity.
Some Bay PNP representatives were also there to support the tree planting activity. “In accordance to the PNP mandate or yung kada pulis may anim na punong itatanim sa isang buwan, ito yung panawagan ni PNoy na Billion Trees Project until February 2013, pero bukod dito ay naging advocacy na rin namin, dahil ito’y napapanahon at para makatulong” ayon kay PSI Melissa Malayo, when asked about why the PNP cooperates with the activity.
Some non- government institutions representatives were also present, Maan Aldipollo from Child Abuse Prevention and Intervention Network (CAPIN) and the Bay Rescue Force.
“Tree planting is a very enjoyable activity. Fulfilling siyang gawin. Kaya’t gusto kong maipromote na rin yung ganitong klaseng activity” according to Barangay Administrator Romel Ilagan of the Bay Rescue Force.
The tree planting activity proper was done by the BCPC, representatives, and the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of San Antonio Elementary School. The planting ended at 11a.m. and they are off to Galvez Elementary School to plant some more.
Henry James Amotorio, Kelly Boy Tandang and John Mark Ulyado, Boy Scout Grade 6 students of San Antonio Elementary school, participated in the tree planting activity. “Masayang magtanim ng puno at nakakatulong ka pa” said Kelly Boy. “Gusto ko sanang maulit itong ganitong Gawain,” John Mark added.
“Marami na ring nagtanim dito sa amin. Sana nga lang sa susunod ay mga kagaya na ng puno ng Narra ang itanim kasi pagtagal ay hindi din nakakasurvive yung mga punong itinanim, tila napapahiya lamang sa bandang huli,” requested by President Caldo.