MORONG, Bataan – The Petroleum of Thailand (PTT– Philippines) on Saturday started planting trees at their adopted mountain within the Bataan National Park here pursuant to its project “Gas Up for a Tree”.
Participants in the tree-planting activity at a cogonal area adjacent to the Aeta village of Kanawan were employees and officials of PTT, Bases Conversion Development Authority and Bataan Technology Park, Inc., students from the Bataan Peninsula State University and gas dealers of PTT.
Some rescue workers of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority and a team of medical workers from Samal led by Barangay Chairman Amboy Velasco took part in the activity.
Assisting the foreign petroleum company in the project are BCDA, BTPI and BPSU.
For every gas purchase of P1,000 in any gas station of PTT, the customer is entitled to a tree to be planted under his name in Kanawan.
Former BCDA Chairman Felicito Payumo said PTT has adopted 55 hectares in the Bataan National Park under its “Adopt a Mountain” program in Bataan, the first in the country.
“Pumayag naman ang mga katutubo. Sila ang mag-aalaga ng tree nursery at sisiguruhing ang mga tanim ay mabubuhay hanggang maging gubat uli ang cogonal area na ang mga kahoy ay pinutol ng mga unat,” he said.
Payumo said the Aetas will take charge in the watering and clearing of the area to protect the trees from grass fires. He said that in five to seven years, the trees are already tall.
