The UST Simbahayan Community Development Office (SIMBAHAYAN) recommenced the in-person tree planting activity on October 12, 2022. A total of 50 volunteers from academic staff, support staff, administrators, and partner institutions participated in planting 700 guyabano and langka seedlings at Brgy. Sto Niño, Tanay, Rizal.
This activity served as the biannual Community Service Day of SIMBAHAYAN and was held in coordination with the Office of the Vice-Rector for Religious Affairs, National Service Training Program (NSTP), Human Resource Department (HRD), UST Alumni Association Inc. (UST AAI), and Thomasian Employees’ Credit Cooperative (ThomECC).
SIMBAHAYAN Director Asst. Prof. Froilan A. Alipao highlighted in his opening remarks that tree planting is comparable to building a statue of charity, heroism, and piety because it is a manifestation of the contributions to Mother Earth. He also emphasized the interconnectedness of the environment and the indigenous people, as well as the connection of the environment to development.
Before the actual planting, an orientation of the program was given by the SIMBAHAYAN Assistant Director Assoc. Prof. Evalyn B. Abiog, Ph.D. It was followed by an overview of the community and a demonstration of the proper method of planting seedlings, given by the NSTP Facilitator Christian Joseph J. Revil and the President of Samahan ng Manggugulay sa Sto. Niño, Inc. Mr. Bino Rellama.
Ms. Emily Rellama and Mr. Jerome Magana also served as guides in navigating the tree-planting site.
This event is part of the series of activities conducted by the UST SIMBAHAYAN for the celebration of the Season of Creation 2022 with the theme, “Listen to the Voice of Creation.” The participants were from the Office of the Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, Health Service, HRD, NSTP, ThomECC, UST AAI, Tomasino Innovation Center, Educational Technology Center, Miguel de Benavides Library, Faculty of Arts and Letters, College of Fine Arts and Design, Senior High School, College of Commerce and Business Administration, UST AMV-College of Accountancy, College of Tourism and Hospitality Management, College of Information and Computing Sciences, Graduate School, Institute of Physical Education and Athletics, Institute of Religion, College of Nursing, College of Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, and Holy Family Social and Education Center-Religious of Mary Immaculate.
