2020 Benefitting Society Finalist: De La Salle Lipa (DLSL) - Philippines

De La Salle Lipa (DLSL) - Green for Life: One Million Trees and Beyond! 

De La Salle Lipa (DLSL), together with 15 other member schools of De La Salle Philippines (DLSP), responded to the call for positive climate action and to arrest forest cover loss in the country. The One Million Trees and Beyond (OMTB) program was launched in 2006, with the aim of planting and nurturing one million trees all over the Philippines by 2011. The DLSP schools have surpassed their target and to-date have planted over 1.4 Million trees all over the Philippines.  

De La Salle Lipa, being 40-km from the coast of Batangas Bay, made a commitment, continued the program and adopted a 9-hectare area for mangrove reforestation. In partnership with the local government of Barangay Palanas, Lemery, Batangas, DLSL to-date planted a total of 34,911 mangroves over an area of four (4) hectares. Beyond mangrove planting, DLSL’s partnership with the local community is an essential component of the initiative. Not only has DLSL contributed to the greening of the Philippines, it has likewise helped a community grow in resilience. 

Top three learnings: 

1. An institution that channels volunteerism towards a sustainable project produces a lasting positive impact. 
2. Volunteerism from like-minded staff, students and community members passionate about environmental restoration drives perceptible change. 
3. Building sustainable engagement through solidarity of purpose with the local community is an essential component. 

Videos

• Video #1 (click to hide)