DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, April 5 (PIA) -- The Energy Development Corporation (EDC) and Silliman University (SU) have planted 100 endangered native tree species to establish their newest BINHI arboretum inside the Center for Tropical Conservation Studies (CENTROP).
The EDC-SU BINHI Arboretum in CENTROP, located at the university’s field laboratory grounds in Palinpinon, Valencia, aims to provide a safe haven for the long-term survival of Philippine native trees.
SU Vice President for Development Jane Annette Belarmino expressed the school’s sincere appreciation of its partnership with EDC.
“Because of shared vision and goals, Silliman University very much appreciates EDC's collaboration and expertise in developing an area for an arboretum for endangered, endemic Philippine native trees,” said Belarmino.
EDC will provide SU with the native tree seedlings from its priority species under BINHI, as well as technical assistance in monitoring and maintaining the tree species.
Belarmino shared that the Environmental Learning Resource Center intends to house a multi-disciplinary collection of environmentally-relevant best practices, outputs, and programs of the university anchored on conservation awareness and environmental sustainability.
For her part, EDC Corporate Relations Department Head Norreen Bautista said a lot of stakeholders are gradually aligning, collaborating with each other for EDC’s efforts to beat climate change and how to help sustain the Earth.
This BINHI arboretum is one of the many initiatives of Silliman University that aims to improve its environmental impact.
The university is also a proud partner of EDC-initiated 10 million trees in 10 years for a Greener Negros Movement (10M in 10) that aims to plant, grow, and nurture at least 10 million trees to bring back the forests in Negros Island.
Bautista also shared that through the collaborative efforts with partners and stakeholders, EDC has completed planting 10 million trees in just six years.
The endangered Philippine tree species that were planted include banuyo, ipil, taba, baguilombang, yakal, lisok-lisok, malakatmon, basilan-yakal, quisumbing gisok, red lauan, kamagong ponce, bagtikan, duguan, narra, kamagong, molave, and bagawak-morado. (JCT/PIA7 Negros Oriental with reports from EDC)
