On 27 – 29 October 2025, the Makiling Botanic Gardens (MBG) of the Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems (MCME) conducted a three-day Training Workshop on Native Plant Propagation at the MBG Toyota Environment and Education Theater and at the University of the Philippines Laguna-Quezon Land Grant (UP LQLG). The training workshop aims to enable UPLB personnel to produce planting materials through the vegetative propagation of native species, thereby ensuring the availability of planting materials for greening rural and urban spaces other than with more common, introduced, or exotic species.
On the first day, the participants were welcomed by the Deputy Director, Dr. Alona Linatoc, who also provided a comprehensive overview of the entire training. This was followed by a series lectures presented by the following resource persons: Dr. Pastor Malabrigo on the importance of native species in rural and urban spaces; Dr. Crusty Tinio on genetic differences between sexual and asexual reproduction; and Dr. Jessa Ata on seedling disease management. Mr. Vince Ivan Donato provided the participants with hands-on experience in soil media and nursery preparation, and techniques in plant propagation of native species of MBG and UP LQLG on the second day of the training workshop. Finally, the participants were also brought to the UP LQLG to apply the theories taught in plant propagation to the native species found in the area.
The training workshop was attended by 25 staff from the Botanic Gardens, Parks and Ecotourism Division and Forestry and Watershed Division of the MCME, as well as from the UP LQLG. This three-day training on native plant propagation is sponsored by the Biodiversity Foundation of the Philippines, Inc. (BFPI) and is part of the staff development of the UPLB in advancing the knowledge and skills of all staff in native plant conservation.
This event is a testament to the commitment of MBG to sustainable propagation, promoting native plant conservation, and initiatives on biodiversity integration across landscape activities. (Article and photo by For. Alexis John T. Fajardo)