By Crisdeniele Clemente

The graduate students from Mariano Marcos State University's College of Agriculture, Food, and Sustainable Development (MMSU CAFSD) Bachelor of Science in Forestry program demonstrated their strong commitment to environmental stewardship on July 9 at the Salinged Park.

Led by CAFSD OIC Dean Charlie Batin, the initiative involved enriching the ecological park through a tree-planting campaign. This effort aimed to replenish trees and restore degraded areas affected by the dry season, encouraging the graduating class to actively contribute to the university's environmental sustainability before completing their college journey. "We wanted them to contribute to the university's environmental sustainability," he said.

"Planting trees also enhances the health and wellness of our campus; the more trees we plant, the healthier our employees and students will be," he added.

During the opening ceremony, Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Prima Franco and National Bioenergy Research and Innovation Center Director Dr. Bjorn Santos expressed their enthusiasm, highlighting the significance of leaving a lasting environmental legacy for the university.

The tree planting commenced with Dr. Franco, Dr. Bjorn, Dr. Batin, and CAFSD Campus Executive Director Joselito Rosario planting a Podocarpus costalis (Igem-dagat) near the park entrance. Senior students then followed, planting various tree species including Cynometra ramiflora (balitbitan), Calophyllum inophyllum (bitaog), Cassia javanica (pink shower), and Lagerstroemia speciosa (banaba).

The collaborative event was organized by the CAFSD Department of Forestry and Junior Forester Association. It builds upon previous initiatives like the planting of 150 flowering and fruit-bearing seeds in August 2023, spearheaded by MMSU President Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis and attended by students, faculty, staff, and university officials.