Six months after the powerful 6.9 magnitude earthquake that hit the 1st district of Negros Oriental, affected residents have joined hands with other groups in the reforestation of the landslide area in Brgy. Planas, Guihulngan City, by planting trees.
They were joined by the Philippine Army and other government agencies, including the departments of Environment and Natural Resources, Education and Social Welfare and Development.
Capt. Ariel Quirog, 11th Infantry Battalion Civil Military Operations officer, said the participants planted more than 300 fruit and non-bearing fruit trees, intended to prevent land erosion, on Aug. 6.
The landslide area in Brgy. Planas, Guihulngan, turned into a mass grave for the 61 earthquake victims, who have not been found until now, military records show.
Before the tree planting activity, Quirog said DENR employees gave a lecture on its importance and benefits to the community.
More than 500 persons have participated in the activity.
Lt. Col. Willy Isaac, 11th IB commander, and his men, meanwhile, held a dialog on July 28 and Aug. 3, with about 400 teachers in Isabela, to promote the “Bayanihan Para Sa Kinabukasan ng mga Kabataan”, of the Armed Forces Internal Peace and Security campaign plan.
Quirog said Isaac stressed that the 11IB intends to generate as much support as possible from various stakeholders of society in advocating peace initiatives in Moises Padilla and neighboring areas.
Isaac also said that teachers have a crucial role in guiding the youth to the right direction in life, especially because teenagers are in the stage of exploring the world outside family, and are vulnerable to bad elements of society.
The 11IB Charlie Company has distributed over 2,000 pairs of slippers and school supplies to elementary students of schools in central Negros.* GPB
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