In celebration of the Philippine Environment Month this June, quarry and small-scale-mining (SSM) operators located in the province will conduct a synchronized tree-planting and community service on June 14.
In a written memorandum, Provincial Environment Management Officer Siegfred Flaviano directed SSM and quarry cooperatives and associations to conduct synchronized tree-nurturing or re-planting in areas planted last year with low survival rate, with the seedlings to be provided by the respective cooperative or association.
Likewise, they were directed to conduct community service through feeding program of selected children in a purok or school or distribution of school supplies to pupils or students of their choice, or other meaningful activities as agreed by the cooperatives and associations.
Nencita Acain, chief of PEMO – Mines and Geo-Sciences Management Division said that they will monitor the whole-day activity of the SSM and quarry operators.
“Some 8 SSM associations in T’boli and 6 quarry associations – 1 located in Polomolok, 4 in Koronadal City and 1 in the upper valley area are expected to participate,” Acain added.
For individual operators who are not members of associations or cooperatives, the memorandum likewise required them to join the activity of the nearest association or may conduct their own tree-planting and community service.
The SSM and quarry operators are also required to submit a written report complete with documentation particularly on the location, activity undertaken, number of beneficiaries, and number of seedlings planted, among others, to PEMO on or before June 26 as part of their Community Development and Management Program as well as Environment Management Program.
