Loren signs accord with QC local execs

Senate Majority Leader and Luntiang Pilipinas Foundation, Inc. founder and honorary chair Loren Legarda will lead today the ceremonial tree planting and MOA signing with Quezon City local government officials headed by Mayor Feliciano "Sonny" Belmonte at the Quezon City Hall.

The activity marks the start of Luntiang Foundation’s intensified partnership with local governments to tap their resources in the maintenance and upkeep of the Forest Parks located in their areas. Each Forest Park is composed of 100 tree seedlings in a cluster. To date, the foundation has established numerous Forest Parks all over the country, most of which are located in Metro Manila.

"The purpose of Forest Park is to serve as lungs of the city by filtering impurities in the air. As summertime approaches, trees become more susceptible to damage since water becomes scarce due to lower volume of rainfall. This is reason enough for our foundation to pursue strategic partnerships with our local government units in order to ensure that the trees we have planted will be maintained and cared for regularly. I am glad that the Quezon City local government headed by Mayor Sonny Belmonte actively supports our call for increased awareness and concern for the environment among our countrymen," the lady solon said.

The agreement involves a massive tree planting and landscaping of designated center islands, deltas, open areas along waterways, open spaces within private subdivisions turned over for the city’s protection and development, and other areas located within the local government boundaries of Quezon City.

To complement its environmental initiatives, the Foundation has launched the "Green Crusaders Advocacy Network." The "Green Crusaders" aims to create a corps of volunteers that will actively participate in the foundation’s projects and activities. Each "Green Crusader" is encouraged to establish a Forest Park in his/her community. Apart from being certified environmentalists, membership will also be given the "Green Card" which serves as membership, discount, identification and legacy tree cards as well as seedlings pass.