The Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) is one of the corporate partners of the Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems (MCME) in the Tree Planting and Nurturing activity or the “Adopt A Forest” Project at the Makiling Botanic Gardens (MBG). IPC adopted a 13-hectare forest area within the Dipterocarp Arboretum of the MBG. This area was taken care by IPC since 2010 when they celebrated their 13th anniversary. Since then, the company conducts yearly tree planting and nurturing activity in the adopted site.
Last 04 February 2017, IPC conducted their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Kick-off Activity in celebration of their 20th Anniversary at the Makiling Botanic Gardens. The celebration was participated by the Executives and employees of IPC together with MCME Director, Deputy-Director and staff. In total, about 100 individuals attended the Kick-off Activity.
ISUZU Executives and personnel headed by Pres. Hajime Koso with Dir Nathaniel Bantayan of MCME (holding the dipterocarp seedling). Photo taken by R.T. Andrada II
A short program was held at the MBG Pavilion where messages from IPC President Hajime Koso was heard, followed by the message expressing the IPC’s commitment to the environment by Mr. David Yandoc, Jr. the AVP for Administration.
Dr. Nathaniel C. Bantayan, Director of MCME and Park Manager of the Mount Makiling Forest Reserve ASEAN Heritage Park (MMFR AHP) delivered a wonderful message where he shared his own meaning of IPC, which is “Inspiration, Protection and Commitment”. Forester Roberto P. Cereno, Director of the Training Center for Tropical Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability (TREES) also gave a short background of the Isuzu “Adopt A Forest Project.” After all the messages, For. Leilani A. Castillo, Head of the Forest Watershed Division (FWD) of MCME gave brief demonstration on proper handling of seedling and transplanting.
The main highlight of the celebration is a Tree Planting activity conducted at the Dipterocarp arboretum. 100 dipterocarp species were prepared for planting. President Koso with Dir. Bantayan joined hands in planting one individual of Dipterocarp while other IPC executives and employees with their pair of gloves and trowel do the same.
The ISUZU 20th Anniversary Celebration was concluded with a boodle fight enjoined by all participants of the tree planting.
(V.O.Barredo-Parducho, A.A.Limpiada, R.T. AndradaII)
