A TOTAL of 627 combined endemic and fruit trees were planted by San Miguel Brewery, Inc. in partnership with EGIP Foundation and Obu Manuvu Tribe in its 14th year of “Trees Brew Life.”
The regreening activity was done in a one-hectare land of Obu Manuvu Ancestral Domain in Panigan Watershed, Barangay Carmen, Baguio District, last Sept. 23.
Florito “Larry” F. Santos, SMB plant manager, stressed that he is elated to know the number of volunteers this year exceeded last year’s as there were only an estimated 30 volunteers due to the pandemic. By comparison, it has risen to more than 100.
“May we all continue to make a difference in our environment. Because our existence is only as good as the environment lasts,” Santos said.
In 2022, SMB partnered with the EGIP Foundation and successfully planted 625 trees in the area with a 100% survival rate. Santos revealed they had a mortality rate of 9%, but it was immediately replaced with new seedlings.
SMB turned over a cheque amounting to P62,500 to the Bantay Bukid for stewarding the seedlings planted last year. One living tree is equivalent to P100.
“It was our 13th Trees Brew Life project, we planted 625 seedlings of combined endemic and fruit trees so that we will not only reforest this area, but in our own little way, we can also contribute to the livelihood and sustenance of the Obu Manuvu community,” Santos said.
“Now in our 14th year, we came back here because we saw how our partners- EGIP Foundation, Bantay Bukid, and Obu Manuvu tribe took care of our planted seedlings,” he added.
The annual “Trees Brew Life” tree planting activity is under the flagship ‘Buhayin ang Kalikasan’ environmental program of SMB to ensure water supply availability nationwide. SMB has been re-greening since 2010.
The activity was supported by the Philippine National Police, 1003rd Infantry Brigade, Sta Cruz Adventure Club, Bantay Bukid Volunteers, City Environment and Natural Resources Office, and Barangay Carmen.
Photos courtesy of Meggy Macion Santos
