Philippines’ Heritage Trees in Schools in 64th episode of ‘Stories for a Better Normal’ Series

MANILA, 28 September 2021 — The 64th episode of “Stories for a Better Normal: Pandemic and Climate Change Pathways” will feature Department of Education (DepEd) teachers and Bureau of Learner Support Services – Youth Formation Division (BLSS-YFD) officers to showcase public schools that exert efforts in preserving Heritage Trees.

The online conversation, conceptualized by DepEd Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS) and hosted by a three-term former Senator, now Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda, will air on Thursday, 30 September 2021, 10:00 AM via Facebook Live at facebook.com/CCCPhl, facebook.com/iamlorenlegarda, and facebook.com/DepartmentOfEducation.PH. Two lucky viewers can win tablets by tuning in throughout the program.

Joining the online conversation are Mr. Adolf P. Aguilar and Ms. Gina Rullamas of DepEd BLSS-YFD, Ms. Jenelyn Alberto from Kaligayahan Elementary School (Division of Quezon City), Mr. Nolito Roque Alvarez from Alabang Elementary School (Division of Muntinlupa City), Mr. Rodolfo Cardinez Jr. from Carcarmay Elementary School (Division of La Union), and Ms. Freida Cawaling from Albasan Elementary School (Division of Aklan).

Despite the important role biodiversity is playing, particularly in supporting current and future human health, well-being, economic prosperity, and ecological balance, it is still being destroyed at an unprecedented and accelerating rate.

Heritage trees, which are characterized as healthy native or endemic, rare, threatened, and endangered with a minimum girth of 100 centimeters with scientific, rarity, historical, cultural, social, educational, and aesthetic significance, are now recognized as key resources that sustain broad and unique assemblages of species. But these trees are threatened by urban development, natural hazards, and vandalism, among others.

With this, the DepEd Office of Undersecretary for Administration through BLSS-YFD spearheaded the ‘Search for Heritage Trees in Public Schools’ to revive the accounting and inventory of these living historical artifacts in all public schools nationwide as one of its initiatives on intensifying the preservation of the country’s vast biodiversity.

As an online discussion to promote health, environmental consciousness, and climate-adaptive practices, “Stories for a Better Normal” aims to change the mindset of individuals, families, and communities by demonstrating ways in which a ‘better normal’ can be realized within our communities.

This online discussion is organized in partnership between the Office of Deputy Speaker Legarda and the Climate Change Commission, with support from the Department of Education, Philippine Information Agency, Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, The Climate Reality Project-Philippines and Mother Earth Foundation. ###