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For every tree planted is a life sustained.

Deforestation in the Philippines has undeniably caused serious damage in the last decade, ranging from worsening flashfloods to surprisingly drastic changes in temperature. In a recent Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (DENR) study, data revealed that the country has only 23 percent of its forests in 2010.

In a bid to address deforestation that may possibly add to threats of climate change, various non-governmental groups, green thumbs, and environmentalists, are now up in arms to help the country’s forests to flourish again. The government, in its initiative, launched its National Greening Program (NGP), which aims to cover 7.1 million hectares of land with trees by 2028. The newly-planted trees are expected to absorb 30 million tons of carbon per year.

DENR has the seeds, but only few helping hands. A nonprofit organization where environmental humanism is at work, the Humanist Alliance Philippines, International (HAPI), is happy to lend its own in planting trees.

On its second year, HAPI is inviting everyone to participate in HAPI TREES Year 2: Nationwide Tree Planting Project.

Slated this Sunday, September 11, beginning at 7 A.M., 21 chapters from all over the country will simultaneously carry out its goal to plant 63,000 indigenous trees, fruit-bearing trees, and mangroves. Around 3,000 volunteers hailing from provinces in the Regions III, IV-A, V, VI, VII, IX , XI, XVIII, NCR, and ARMM are expected to partake in the event. Mayors are also awaited to lead their chapters in tree-planting.

“The international community has already begun its mission to address climate change and it was fortified through the Paris agreement,” says Jennifer Gutierrez, executive director of HAPI. “In our own little way, we aspire to help in alleviating immediate effects of climate change in our country by building carbon tanks in the form of forests.”

Care to join? You may visit HAPI Facebook Page (https://web.facebook.com/hapi.green.environment) or you may contact HAPI’s Executive Director Jennifer Gutierrez through her Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/jennifer.c.gutierrez.9) for more details.

This is event is FREE for all the chapters except Manila. Donations are accepted.

Humanist Alliance Philippines, International (HAPI) is a nonprofit community of progressive secular humanists from all over the world, united together with common goals for the greater good of humanity. HAPI is SEC-registered and has been functioning as a legal entity in the Philippines since January 2015 with SEC Registration No. 00379 and TIN 008-935-196. HAPI’s main office is located at Second Floor, 13-3 Washington St., Royale Cebu Estates, Casili, Consolacion, Cebu, Phil. 6001. Visit www.hapihumanist.org for inquiries.
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