THE Energy Development Corp. (EDC) will mark the first anniversary of the “10M in 10” project on Monday by holding a ceremonial planting of the one millionth seedling at Siliman University in Dumaguete City.
The “10M in 10” is considered by EDC as the largest island-wide movement that aims to re-green the mountains and landscapes of the Negros Island by planting 10 million trees in 10 years through multi- stakeholder partnerships with numerous agencies, organizations, and people.
Since the launch of the project, EDC and 89 partner agencies have planted over 600,000 trees leading to the planting of the one millionth tree on December 1 as the highlight of the anniversary celebration, a media release from EDC said yesterday.
Over 400 members of EDC’s farmer-associations have benefitted from the planting and maintenance of these trees in various parts of Valencia, Dauin, and Zamboanguita towns in Negros Oriental and in the cities of San Carlos and Bago, and the towns of Calatrava and Salvador Benedicto in Negros Occidental.
Noreen Bautista, head of EDC’s Community Partnerships, External Relations, and Watershed Management in Negros Island, said: “EDC is the only organization in the country undertaking the rescue of our country’s endangered premium and indigenous tree species.”
The “10M in 10” was launched on October 10, 2015 with EDC’s 58 pioneer partners who all want a greener future for their region, Bautista said. (PR)