GenSan conducted mangrove tree planting in Minanga Buayan

   The Notre Dame GenSan Alumni Association in partnership with the Local Government of General Santos and the GenSan Tourism Council with the support of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) conducted mangrove tree planting activity last May 24, 2015 in Minanga Buayan General Santos City. The said activity is part of Go Green Project of Dameans for the environment that aims to clean-up, protect and promote the city’s marine protected areas (MPAs). Moreover, this greening project is aligned with the Go Green Dameans theme of this year’s Silver and Golden Jubilarians, Batch 90 and 65. 

   Different groups and organizations also participated in the planting activity. Go Green Project is a 3 year environmental protection and legacy project and it has two components. First, it aims for urban greening of GenSan of all national highways and pocket parks. Second it aims for the protection of GenSan’s coastline & marine life.

   “In today’s climate condition, we have to do something,” said Vice Mayor Shirlyn Bañas-Norgrales. “It’s our advocacy (LGU-GenSan) to really protect the environment. This is the opportunity to change the course of history.” 

   More than 1,000 participants planted the 4,500 mangrove seedlings in the 2 hectares coastal area of Purok Minanga in barangay Buayan GenSan. 

  “This is the beginning of the Go Green Project of GenSan,” said Dr. Michelle Bandolon-Villanueva, the President of Notre Dame batch 90. “There will be more environmental projects and activities in the upcoming months.” 

   “This is a good opportunity to develop our eco-tourism sites in GenSan,” said Jane G. Rivera, the President of GenSan Tourism Council. “Thank you to all who supported this activity. I hope that they will still continue to support our other environmental activities.” 

   For the monitoring and evaluation of the project, the CENRO and the community collaborated for it. The LGU-GenSan will also hire a third party monitoring and evaluation team for the project. 

   Their second activity will be the urban greening of GenSan of all national highways and pocket parks. They have consulted with the Department of Works and Highways (DPWH) for it. The project proponents are asking the people to support and participate the planting activity this coming August 2015.

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