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For the environment IPC executives, Laguna government officials and members of the motoring media plant trees in Caliraya to commemorate Isuzu’s 12th year in the Philippines.

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THE Haribon Foundation’s Road (Rainforestation Organizations and Advocates) to 2020 project is an environmental conservation campaign to restore one million hectares of our rainforests using native tree species. It aims to plant native tree species in order to recover and conserve biodiversity; optimize supply of forest benefits and ecosystem services; reduce the risk of natural hazards and enhance options for sustainable livelihood.

During its recent 12th anniversary, Isuzu Philippines Corp. (IPC) joined hands with Haribon on its Road to 2020 movement as part of its yearly corporate social responsibility campaign. To commemorate its 12 years in the Philippines, IPC handpicked a dozen native tree species, including narra, kamagong, yakal, butong, lipote, dao, makaasim, alibangbang, batino, bitaog, marang and igyo, which it will donate to Haribon for planting in various rainforests in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao and no less than 5,000 seedlings have been earmarked for this cause.

On September 3, the first 3,000 seedlings were planted in Caliraya in Laguna by a group led by IPC president Keiji Takeda; IPC senior vice president Art Balmadrid; Haribon director Annabelle Plantilla; Laguna Provincial Administrator Dennis Lazaro; Cavinti, Laguna Municipal Administrator Frederick Lubuguin; Caliraya-Lumot Watershed chief Greg Paredes, East Talaongan Barangay Captain Vicente Oliveros and members of the motoring media, including this writer.  The event, which was a joint undertaking of IPC, National Power Corp. and Caliraya-Lumot Watershed, served as the official kickoff for the project.  Next month, IPC will plant the remaining 2,000 seedlings in Cebu and Surigao.

According to Plantilla, “A few years ago, Haribon launched its Road to 2020 campaign primarily because it is the source of water for our agriculture, industry and domestic use. Without water for irrigation, our food security is threatened. Our partnership with Isuzu continues to inspire us to do more and hopefully their enthusiasm and concern for Philippine forests doesn’t end with this pledge. We hope that this is just the beginning.”

Since 2003, IPC has celebrated its anniversary by spearheading environmental projects such as the construction of a river garbage trap in Santa Rosa, Laguna, as well as releasing 10,000 tilapia fingerlings in Laguna de Bay. IPC also donated a two-classroom building to Biñan National High School in 2004. In 2005, IPC helped create a manmade forest strip in Atimonan, Quezon, by donating 15,000 narra seedlings. In 2006, IPC planted mangroves in Pangasinan and also donated environmental signs in the area while planting 500 flowering trees on the National Highway near Alaminos. IPC held a nationwide park conservation campaign in 2007 by donating flowering plants and vicinity maps with environmental messages and waste receptacles to Rizal Park in Metro Manila, Osmeña Park in Cebu and People’s Park in Davao. Last year, IPC supported the Save the La Mesa Watershed Project by maintaining 11 hectares of trees.

In his speech, Takeda said, “We have been very active in environmental campaigns for many years now, and we intend to sustain this commitment to Mother Nature. By 2020, proving that all of us—whether we’re in the business, private or nongovernment sector, need to act now if we are to save our planet and its natural resources.”