BACOLOD City – About 800 graduating students of Bacolod City College (BCC), together with faculty and staff, took part in a large-scale tree planting and growing activity at Felisa Eco Park, located within the city’s sanitary landfill in Barangay Felisa, on December 20.
The initiative, aimed at promoting a healthier, greener, and more resilient Bacolod, highlighted the city’s continuing push for environmental protection and sustainability.
The activity was spearheaded by the Bakuran Organization of BCC in partnership with the office of Councilor Homer Bais, chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Environment and Ecology, with support from Mayor Greg Gasataya and the Bacolod Environment and Natural Resources Office (BENRO).
Dr. Junaly Biliran served as the faculty-in-charge of the activity, which carried the theme “Roots of Hope: BCC Graduating Student Tree Growing Activity.” The program aimed to instill environmental responsibility among graduating students while contributing to the rehabilitation and greening of the sanitary landfill area at Felisa Eco Park.
Bais said the initiative was designed to encourage active participation of graduating students in environmental protection and climate action through tree planting. He added that the activity also sought to strengthen awareness of the vital role of trees in maintaining ecological balance, conserving biodiversity, and enhancing climate resilience.
“Beyond its environmental benefits, the activity fostered unity and social responsibility among students, educators, and partner institutions. By planting trees, the graduating class left a lasting symbol of hope and a positive environmental footprint for future generations,” the councilor emphasized.
The activity reflects a shared commitment to environmental stewardship, community engagement, and the protection of natural resources. Felisa Eco Park continues to serve as a key site for the city’s environmental initiatives, supporting long-term efforts to restore green spaces and promote sustainable development.
In March, the local government, led by then Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, now the city’s Lone District representative, conducted a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Recovery and Recycling Complex and Eco Park Phase 1 at the sanitary landfill.
The project aims to establish a mechanized central Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) capable of processing various types of recyclable materials, including plastics, biodegradable waste, glass, paper, and metal. It is expected to help address the city’s growing waste management challenges through innovative and sustainable solutions./PN
