ILOILO City – Climate action took center stage in this city on Saturday, September 13, as over 800 Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) from the Iloilo Chapter spearheaded a massive tree planting activity, planting 250 fruit-bearing seedlings at the Iloilo Esplanade 4 under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) Project Transform.
City Agriculture Office head Iñigo Garingalao said the seedlings — cabugao (pomelo), atis (sugar apple), and langka (jackfruit) — were chosen to withstand the city’s conditions and complement its agricultural heritage while also easing urban heat.
“Through Project Transform, our goal is not just to add greenery but to create a healthier balance between Iloilo’s rapid urbanization and its agricultural heritage. These trees will also help bring down the heat index in the city, improve air quality, and provide future generations with a cooler, greener environment,” Garingalao explained.
The activity also marked the official kickoff of Girl Scout Week 2025, highlighting environmental stewardship and volunteerism among the youth.
The GSP partnered with the City Agriculture Office, the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), and the General Services Office (GSO) to ensure the seedlings are nurtured and sustained.
For many of the Girl Scouts, the event was more than ceremonial. Leaders said tree planting embodies the GSP’s mission of molding girls into responsible citizens who care for the environment.
Parents echoed the sentiment. “Planting trees with our daughters is meaningful because it teaches them that small actions can make a big difference,” one parent shared.
Project Transform, a DENR flagship initiative in select cities nationwide, promotes resilience against climate change by involving communities, especially the youth, in sustainable projects like tree planting.
“The more we engage our youth in these activities, the more they grow up with a sense of responsibility for the environment,” Garingalao stressed.
The event not only launched Girl Scout Week but also reaffirmed Iloilo City’s drive to blend urban growth with green initiatives—showing that even in bustling spaces, nature can thrive when communities act together./PN
