Green is in

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) promises a larger, more proactive greening event this 2011 as it introduces environmental education in its annual tree-planting activity.

In partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, PBSP recently kicked off the Cebu Hillylands Reforestation Caravan in Sitio Cantipla 2, Barangay Tabunan, Cebu City.

PBSP targets to plant 15,000 seedlings on six hectares with more than 800 volunteers for the kickoff event.

This year, PBSP invited experts from the Philippine Biodiversity Conservation Foundation Inc. to discuss the unique biodiversity of the Cebu hillylands as well as the components of Cebu’s forests. PBSP also partnered with the Cebu Ornithological Society, which will hold an exhibit on wildlife photography and discuss the mechanics of bird watching.

The Cebu Hillylands is a 28,300-hectare lot composed of five watershed and protected areas that span Central Cebu. It is the major source of potable water for Metro Cebu as well as home to various endemic plant and animal species and subspecies.

Last year, with help from 3,700 volunteers from 100 companies, PBSP reforested more than 300 hectares with 40 native and endemic tree species.

Companies and institutions that joined the kickoff last June 18 were the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Colorado Shipyard, KPMG, Dedon Cebu Manufacturing Corp., Halsangz Cebu Plating Corp., PLDT Co., TMX Philippines, Inc., The Islands Group, HPOI Corp., Food Saversmart Corp., Philippine Land Corp., Smart Communications, Inc., Lexmark Research & Development Corp., Punongbayan & Araullo, The Freeman, Tabok Workers Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Cebu Ornithological Society, Lexmark International Philippines, Inc., and Philippine Guardians, Inc.

For the following Saturdays, Yamashin Cebu Filter Manufacturing Corp., Cathay Pacific Airways, Juanito King and Sons, Aboitiz and Co. Inc., Lexmark Research and Development Corp., Taiyo Yuden Philippines Inc., Lexmark International Philippines, Inc., and Abag sa Kalikupan Inc. already committed to involve their employees to plant.

The reforestation caravan will run for 18 Saturdays until Oct. 15.

For more information, interested companies and volunteers may contact Malu Largo of PBSP at (032)232-5283 or 232-5270 or via e-mail at MBLargo@pbsp.org.ph or pbspvro@pbsp.org.ph. @