Magpet, North Cotabato—  More than 200 Special Program for the Employment of Students SPES students joined officials of Barangay Poblacion and Barangay Bongolanon in the tree planting activity spearheaded by Magpet LGU that aims to strengthen their participation and concern in saving mother earth.

The said students who worked for almost two months as SPES had their last day of work spent almost a day last Friday in planting thousands of tinikaran trees in the soil near Bongolanon water falls.

Magpet Mayor Efren Piñol who joined the students and barangay officials said this was the first time that students under the SPES program participated in a reforestation activity.

“ It is indeed very important that we are aware of what’s happening in our surrounding or environment and the students have a big role in saving the earth” Mayor Piñol said during the tree planting.

Meanwhile, the students had a great time planting tinikaran tree seedlings, saying their participation in the activity was worth their time.

Mayor Piñol on the other hand wanted this tinikaran seedlings to really grow and be part of the municipality’s effort of reforestation and restoring trees in the area.

He had ordered some barangay officials to look after the planted trees and occasionally report to the lgu regarding the tree’s status.

This move of Magpet lgu in tree planting and preserving the balance of nature in Bongolanon water shed is also in line with Kidapawan-Makilala-Magpet Eco-Tourism Triangle to preserve the forest of Mt. Apo, the country’s highest mountain by replanting trees that are endemic to the area like the tinikaran.  (james calma)