Garden of native trees to honor Washington SyCip

MANILA, Philippines - A garden of 90 species of native trees will be planted at the University of the Philippines Diliman campus in honor of Washington SyCip. Proposed to be named the “Washington SyCip Garden of Native Trees,” it is a project initiated by the Zuellig Group to celebrate the 90th birthday of SyCip.

In a ceremonial tree planting activity held last Dec. 14, SyCip marked the launch of the green project together with UP Diliman Chancellor Caesar Saloma; Dr. Jaime Galvez Tan, president of San Beda College Alumni Foundation, Inc. (SBCAFI); Dr. Noemi Bellosillo of the Department of Education (DepEd), NCR; and Daniel Zuellig, director of Bridgebury Realty Corporation, owner and developer of the Zuellig Building.

The 90 species of indigenous and endemic trees will be sourced through the SBCAFI, a partner of the DepEd in implementing the National Greening Program. Presidential Order No. 23: The National Greening Program aims to establish urban native forests by planting native trees in public schools. Currently, discussions and partnerships with local government units are underway to introduce native trees to the urban landscape.

In support of this, the planned garden of native trees strives to foster the awareness and appreciation for the biodiversity of Philippine native trees, especially in urban areas where greenery is quickly being overtaken by concrete.

 “The proposed ‘Washington SyCip Garden of Native Trees’ celebrates Mr. SyCip’s lifelong dedication to growth through education and business development. These trees will also stand to support and promote the conservation of local biodiversity and protection of the environment, which can greatly contribute to a nation’s success,” said Daniel Zuellig.

With the support of the DepEd and the SBCAFI, the Zuellig Group, through its affiliate Bridgebury Realty Corporation, will also sponsor dendrological tours for high school students from ninety select schools in NCR to encourage the youth’s participation in the national effort to protect and sustain the health of the environment.

 “This garden is our way of motivating and guiding our youth to strive towards making this planet a better place to live for future generations. It is our contribution towards broadening and advancing the understanding of students on how important it is to care for our environment and the local ecosystem to achieve success,” Zuellig added.

The Zuellig Building embodies this commitment to the environment. Known as the first green office building in the country, it is the first building pre-certified at Gold level by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Core and Shell Program (LEED-CS) of the US Green Building Council.

Washington SyCip, a product of the public school system for grade school and high school, is a staunch supporter of access to basic education.  

 “Let’s work together to raise the standards of education in the Philippines so that, 10 years from now, as we see how the trees have grown in this garden, attention to the public school system will also have been increased,” said SyCip.

The garden of native trees, designed by UP landscape architects Lou Vincent Licerio and Jose Luis Salazar, will be developed behind the Carillon, in between the UP Film Center and the UP Theatre by Magsaysay Avenue. With the guidance of Prof. Edgardo Gomez of the UP School of Marine Science, planting of the trees will commence in early 2012.