Trees are vital. They provide the environment with the oxygen, improve air quality, climate amelioration, materials for tools, supporting wildlife and shelter. During heavy rains, trees reduce the risk of flooding, prevent soil erosion, reducing sediment going into rivers and increasing water absorption into the ground. On July 23, 2018, Balanga City Bataan declared a state of calamity due to rising floods continued to rise amid heavy monsoon rains. City mayor Francis Garcia advised the residents to take necessary precautions as the local government mobilized its units for evacuation. This calamity opened the eye of the Science Club to plan for a project that will help the Balanga City with the present catastrophe.

            Young Schemers Club together with the Science teachers of Bataan National High School spearheaded Alay Tanim Project which was held on October 6, 2018 at Sitio Bani, Cataning Balanga City in cooperation of City Environment of Natural Resources of Balanga City, Cataning Barangay Officials and City Councillor of Balanga, Benigno P. Merino.

            The objectives of the Tree Planting Project, first is to uplift quality of living environment through planting project, second proper maintenance and preservation of trees together with the other vegetation and to educate people and involve the community for the proper management of tree enable to protect us from flash floods and landslides. To environmentalists, the floods are worsening because the people have destroyed nature’s first defense against it- the trees. As educators and leaders of the community we should initiate project like Alay Tanim to have resistance against cataclysm.

By: Edith P. Fajardo | Teacher 1 | Bataan National High School