Students get cash, recognition for tree planting

CEBU, Philippines - For planting around 40,000 mangroves, a public school principal in Tudela, Camotes Islands led the awardees of outstanding implementers of the Enhanced Greening With our Environment Now (E-Gwen) Program.

Ofelia Geliaga, principal of McArthur Elementary School in Tudela, received her special award of recognition last Friday from Governor Gwendolyn Garcia who started the program which was adopted by the Department of Education 7 since 2006.

DepEd 7 Director Recaredo Borgonia said the awarding is one way of inspiring school administrators and students to continue the program in pursuing a beautiful environment.

Borgonia reported that in Cebu alone, there are already more than five million growing trees planted by students while around four million of these are jackfruits as encouraged by Garcia.  

Highlights of the event was the giving of a computer-printer set with table and a plaque of recognition each to the Simeon Ayuda Elementary School in Liloan and SK Luis Cañete National High School for being able to maintain the growth of 100 percent and 98 percent, respectively, of jackfruits planted in the last four years.

The top five students with the highest number of surviving jackfruits for the past four years received cash incentives of P4,000 each and a backpack.

They are Regine Gualiza (350 trees) and Era Villanca (220 trees) of Garing NHS in Consolacion; Jennelyn Quevedo (138 trees) of Caleriohan NHS in Dalaguete; Epitacio Tautho (117 trees) of Canamucan Elementary School in Compostela and Christy Villamor (90) of San Remegio NHS.  

The Capitol also awarded cash incentives and school items to 19 students and pupils who planted more than 50 jackfruits. They were led by three students of Caleriohan NHS in Dalaguete for this school year.

Maria Carmen Franquera Cesiban, Annaliza Quevedo and Junrel Ocampo received P3,000; P2,000 and P1,000; respectively and a back pack each.

The rest who received P500 and a back pack each are Brenda Geolin and Raymundo Amacna of Caleriohan NHS in Dalaguete; Christian Elarco, Albert Pepito, Joel Dejito, Phoebe Noval, Neil Maglasang, Sofia Paraiso, Jebie Fausto, Jemboy Huntilla and Baby Joy Capangpangan of Simeon Ayuda Elementary School in Liloan; Glinnes Solano of Greenhills Elementary School in San Fernando and Christian Heinz Astera of Barili Central School.

Twenty former pupils who maintained their growing jackfruits for the past four years were also awarded with P2,000 and a backpack each. (FREEMAN)