Mandaue City is taking a unique approach to environmental stewardship by requiring graduating students to plant trees before receiving their diplomas. The City Council recently approved an ordinance mandating that all senior high school and college students from both public and private schools plant at least two trees as part of their graduation requirements. The initiative seeks to instill environmental responsibility in young Filipinos while addressing pressing issues like deforestation and flooding.
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Empowering the Youth Through Action
Sangguniang Kabataan Federation president and ex-officio Councilor Fleuritz Gayle Jumao-as, who authored the ordinance, explained that even small contributions can create meaningful change. “Even the small things we do as citizens can still help the community. These micro efforts can lead to macro effects if we work together,” she said in Bisaya.
Jumao-as noted that while some schools already require students to plant up to 10 trees, the city set the minimum at two to ensure the requirement is manageable. Co-author Councilor Jennifer del Mar emphasized the importance of educating the youth early, stating that teaching students while they are young will help make tree planting part of their routine, especially amid increasingly unpredictable weather.
Guidance, Support, and Civic Impact
The ordinance directs the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and partner schools to identify suitable planting sites, such as school campuses, parks, riverbanks, and reforested areas.
Cenro will provide guidance on proper planting, maintenance, and post-planting care. National and local agencies, including the Department of Agriculture, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Department of Education–Mandaue City Division, and CHED, will assist with seedling preparation, technical support, and monitoring.
Noncompliance will not affect academic standing but will require students to attend counseling and reschedule their planting activities. Alekka Marababol, a Grade 12 Humanities and Social Sciences student at Mandaue City Comprehensive National High School, welcomed the initiative, saying, “It will also be a nice memory that we planted trees before we graduate.”
By integrating tree planting into graduation requirements, Mandaue City not only encourages environmental awareness but also strengthens community resilience against natural disasters. The initiative sets a precedent for other cities, demonstrating how small civic actions can foster lasting ecological and social benefits for the country.
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