SMB, Mandaue plant trees

CEBU, Philippines - Officials of Mandaue City and some business establishments led by San Miguel Brewery and the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Indsutry (MCCI) planted seedlings of indigenous hardwood and fruit-bearing trees in barangay Tawason yesterday morning.

The tree planting was part of San Miguel’s month-long celebration of the company’s environmental flagship program “Buhayin ang Kalikasan.”

Seedlings were planted in the Vera Estates, a twenty-hectare property being developed as a subdivision.

Since the inception of its “Trees Brew Life” reforestation program, the beer company has planted 150,000 samplings of hardwood, mangrove and fruit-bearing trees in several areas in the country where the company’s facilities are located.

The beer company’s tree-planting programs are in support of the National Greening Program of President Benigno Aquino III and the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources.

City officials led by Councilor Diosdado Suico joined yesterday’s activity.

Participants included employees of SMB, Uratex Foam, RCBC, Busa Printers, Adnetwork, Metro Cebu Water District, students of Tipolo, and Tawason Elementary Schools, and local residents including those from adjacent barangays of Tabok and Casili.

“Where environment thrives, business thrives,” said Ricky Tablante, assistant vice president of Mandaue Brewery during the opening program.

Roberto Huang, president of San Miguel Brewery Inc., in his message vowed to double by 2015 the 150,000 trees they have planted.

Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes in his message read by councilor Diosdado Suico said trees help maintain the ecology, adding “we are doing this for the future generation.”

The eco park is part of the 20-hectare Vera Estates developed by Castille Resources Realty Development , Inc.

Edgar Castillo, owner of Vera Estates, said he will ensure that the trees are well taken care of.

Romelinda Garces, communication officer of San Miguel Brewery, said the next tree-planting activities of the company will be held in Cebu City and Liloan town since its goal is to plant 6,000 trees in Cebu this year. (FREEMAN)