Officials and employees of beer market leader San Miguel Brewery Inc. (SMBI) kicked off on August 6 the 7th leg of its “Trees Brew Life” program, a national re-greening initiative, in Barangay Sapang Bato, Angeles City which was among several identified sites for the tree-planting activity.
Roberto Huang, SMB Inc. president, said although San Miguel breweries have their respective year-round corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives with the San Miguel Foundation, the Trees Brew Life tree growing project is special.
“It is special because it really mirrors the commitment of our company to be a responsible steward of the environment in a sustainable way. We believe that this program will not only immortalize the fruits of our hard work but it will also allow us to give back our blessings to the Filipino nation to whom our company owes its 126 years of existence,” Huang said during the opening of the event.
–Jojo Due
He pointed out that the Trees Brew Life project is not only about planting trees but it is also about brewing the foundation for life for generations to come.
“We are all aware about the effects of climate change and global warming. Typhoons became stronger and the dry season became warmer. It is already a threat that we need to address. Watersheds and forests are a valuable source of food, shelter and shade. The trees aid in soil, conservation, sustain biodiversity and reduce urban heat,” the SMBI official stressed.
Aside from Barangay Sapang Bato here, similar tree-planting activities will also be held in other identified areas that include Makati City, the Umapad Dumpsite in Mandaue City, the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEx) headquarters in Tarlac City, Barangay Estefania in Bacolod City, Barangay Matina Pangi in Davao City, the DSWD Nayon ng Kabataan Compound in Mandaluyong City, and the Nuvali Evoliving Ecopark in the City of Santa Rosa, Laguna.
Under the program, SMB hopes to be able to contribute in ensuring the water supply by protecting, preserving and rehabilitating forest covers, regenerating mangrove areas and propagating planting materials for an eco-friendly environment.
More than 10,000 seedlings of hardwood, mangrove and fruit-bearing species will be planted in all Saturdays of August in identified areas nationwide by officers and employees of SMBI.
The project is under the Buhayin ang Kalikasan flagship program of San Miguel Brewery Inc.
Guests during the event include Angeles City First Lady Herminia Pamintuan representing City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan; Sibul Foundation Chairperson Sally Naguiat and Executive Director Renato “Abong” Tayag Jr.; Angeels City Task Force One Million Trees head Bishop Joe Briones and Field Operations Officer Edille Paras; officers and staff of the Angeles City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO); the Angeles City Tourism Office, and officers and employees of San Miguel Brewery Inc., among others, who also participated in the tree-planting activity.
Sapang Bato has been specifically identified as Sibul Foundation is developing it into a watershed. They are currently in the process of having it declared as a protected area by the government to preserve the area.
Huang stressed that SMBI will continue to expand their program by engaging in tree-growing activities, revisiting areas where they already conducted greening activities and undertake pocket environmental projects in new areas with program partners, pointing out that by 2020, SMB aims to double the number of trees that they planted.
“Let us continue to make this world better with Trees Brew Life. Let us do the right thing today so that the future generation will have a better life and sustainable future. Let us strive to Up and Vibe with San Miguel Brewery Inc.,” Huang urged.