On 29 September 2018, the Metrobank through the Metrobank Purple Hearts Club-Laguna conducted tree planting as their initial activity for the Corporate Partnership for Environmental Restoration Program (CoPERP) in the Mount Makiling Forest Reserve ASEAN Heritage Park (MMFR AHP). CoPERP is a program of the Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems (MCME) which aims to ensure the sustainable protection and management of the MMFR AHP in partnership with private institutions.
The Metrobank Purple Hearts Club planted 2,000 seedlings of endemic and native forest tree species along the MMFR boundary between BM 16 to BM 24 at Brgy. Paciano Rizal, Bay, Laguna. Species planted include Alibangbang (Bauhinia malabarica Roxb), Arangin, Bakauan gubat [Carallia brachiata (Lour.) Merr.], Balitantan (Buchanania nitida Engl.), Bangulo (Litsea garciae Vidal), Bani [Pongomia pinnata (L.) Merr.], Banuyo (Wallaceodendron celebicum Koord.), Bitaog (Calophyllum inophyllum L.), Bohina, Bolon [Platymitra arborea (Blanco) Kessler], Dao [Dracontomelon dao (Blanco) Merr.], Dita [Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br.], Guijo [Shorea guiso (Blanco) Blume], Ipil [Intsia bijuga (Colebr.) O. Ktze.], Kalingag (Cinnamomum mercadoi Vidal), Kupang [Parkia timoriana (DC.) Merr.], Makaasim (Syzygium nitidum Benth.), Malaipil (Afzelia borneensis Harris), Malakmalak [Palaquium philippinense (Perr.) C.B. Rob.], Matang-araw [Melicope triphylla (Lam.) Merr.], Molave (Vitex parviflora Juss.), Palosapis [Anisoptera thurifera (Blanco) Blume], Putian [Alangium javanicum (Blume) Wangerin], Tabon-tabon (Atuna racemosa Rafin.), Talitan [Casearia fuliginosa (Blanco) Blanco], Tirukan (Beilschmiedia glomerata Merr.), Toog (Petersianthus quadrialatus Merr.), Kamagong (Diospyros blancoi A. DC.), Amugis [Koordersiodendron pinnatum (Blanco) Merr.], Betis [Madhuca betis (Blanco) Macbr. & Merr.], Lipote [Syzygium polycephaloides (C. B. Rob.) Merr.], Kalumpit (Terminalia microcarpa Decne. subsp. microcarpa) and Dalingdingan (Hopea foxworthyi Elmer).
About 50 participated in the tree planting activity headed by Mr. Jared Pocholo Q. Castro, President of Metrobank Purple Hearts Club together with Ms. Johanna M. Aguiero, Club Coordinator. Representing MCME during the activity was Forester Nicasio M. Balahadia, Officer In-charge and Head of the Social Forestry Division (SFD).
LACastillo and ACAlegre
Photos credit to: NMManlisis, ACMalayba and ECGestiada
