Officials in Mandaue City, Cebu, are championing a groundbreaking ordinance that would make tree planting a mandatory prerequisite for graduation. The proposed rule targets all senior high school and college students set to graduate from both public and private institutions within the city.
A Civic Duty for the Youth
Councilor Jennifer Del Mar, the measure's proponent, stressed the urgent need for this action. She pointed to the tangible effects of climate change, unpredictable weather, and deteriorating environmental conditions as the primary drivers. "We can clearly see how unpredictable the weather has become. We really need this," Del Mar stated. She believes instilling this habit in the youth is crucial for long-term impact. "Teaching them while they are young will help make tree planting part of their routine."
Del Mar framed tree planting as an essential civic responsibility, acknowledging that while some environmental damage may be irreversible, action is still imperative. "Planting a tree is very important. It might be too late for us to say, but the best time is now," she added, explaining the rationale behind the drafted ordinance.
Addressing Flooding and Deforestation
Co-author and SK Federation President, City Councilor Fleuritz Gayle Jumao-as, explained that the initiative seeks to actively engage the younger generation in safeguarding the environment and mitigating disasters. "We are drafting an ordinance that will mandate graduating senior high school and college students to plant trees. Before they graduate, this will be one of their requirements," Jumao-as confirmed.
She directly linked the program to persistent local issues. "We hope we can really implement this. We see a lot of flooding and deforestation happening, so this could really help," Jumao-as said. The ordinance is designed to empower students to contribute to their community through concrete environmental action, with the belief that collective small efforts can create a significant impact.
Logistics and Implementation
The proposed law will be comprehensive, covering every graduating student in Mandaue City. To ensure its success, the City Government plans to collaborate with agriculture experts to monitor the survival and growth of the planted trees. The Department of Agriculture is expected to assist by providing seedlings to schools unable to source their own.
Some educational institutions in the area have already adopted similar practices, with requirements for students to plant as many as ten trees before receiving their diploma. The city also intends to coordinate with national agencies to oversee proper tree planting techniques and growth monitoring. A meeting to advance the ordinance is slated to be scheduled soon, although a specific date has not yet been finalized.
Councilor Del Mar concluded by emphasizing shared responsibility: "We all have a responsibility toward Mother Nature. This is one of the things we need to implement here in Mandaue City." The City Council will monitor the species of trees planted and their designated locations to maximize the ecological benefit of this ambitious educational requirement.
