Luntiang Pilipinas Party-list first nominee Michael Ubac on Monday announced an initiative to plant 10 million trees in the country, saying the party was marking Earth Day by reaffirming its commitment “to invest in the ecological sustainability of future generations.”
Ubac revealed that the group, established in 1998 by Sen. Loren Legarda, has recently held two major tree-planting activities, one in Masbate City in Bicol and another in the main campus of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines.
“We planted Narra seedlings in Masbate that would take 100 years to fully mature or keep on growing, outliving most if not all of us,” said Ubac.
“We should go beyond commemorating Earth Day; caring for the environment is a year-round commitment that requires us to be proactive in our efforts.”
“The seedlings symbolize Luntiang Pilipinas’ commitment to pursue legislation that will have a positive impact on the country’s environment and will benefit generations of Filipinos,” added the multi-awarded journalist.
Ubac said Luntiang Pilipinas has shown that such a program is “doable,” as the group is responsible for planting and growing 2 million trees in 33 provinces, 28 cities, and 84 municipalities across the country.
“One of our four pillars that serve as a roadmap for achieving resiliency is a re-greening program that involves tree-growing, school-based vegetable gardening/gulayan sa paaralan, and backyard gardening,” explained Ubac.
“We should go beyond commemorating Earth Day; caring for the environment is a year-round commitment that requires us to be proactive in our efforts to restore ecological balance in our country—and Luntiang Pilipinas’ program to plant 10 million trees in our country is our contribution to this effort.”
Luntiang Pilipinas is vying to be the first green party in the House of Representatives. It has received endorsement from Senate President Tito Sotto III and Aksyon Demokratiko, the party founded by the late Sen. Raul Roco.
