Pines City Colleges (PCC) mobilized around three hundred thirty (330) students and employees for its annual tree-planting & clean-up drive on September 26, 2026, bringing together one of the largest groups accommodated by the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) for a tree-planting activity as part of its ongoing environmental initiatives.
With the theme “Plant, Clean, and Care: For a Healthier Environment,” the activity combined tree planting with community cleanup, translating PCC’s environmental advocacy into direct participation in rehabilitating local spaces. Led by PCC-Project ANGELS (Avenues in Networking & Linkages, and Clean Environment, Education Activity, and Health Leadership Socio Civic), this initiative marked another year of the institution’s environmental advocacy, which CEPMO has continually guided and supported for 17 years.
![Better growth, better future — Nursing faculty and students work together to clean surrounding areas of growing pine trees for better growth. [Photo by Glynis Laron]](https://pcc.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Light_0026_IMG_9821-1024x683.jpg)
Planting for Future Generations
Around two hundred (200) students and employees planted approximately one hundred fifty (150) Benguet pine seedlings in the southern area of BENECO South Drive. Beyond planting the seedlings, participants also cleared the surrounding area to prepare the site and create better growing conditions for the newly planted trees. The clearing activity also made the area more accessible for future volunteers who may participate in upcoming tree-planting activities.
According to CEPMO representative Junelyn Velasco, PCC’s participation was notable, as the group was among the largest accommodated by CEPMO for a tree-planting activity, highlighting an organized school community’s capacity to mobilize people for environmental initiatives. For PCC-CES, the activity was not simply about adding trees to the landscape but about encouraging members of the school community to take part in environmental stewardship.
Cleaning for Future Generations
While one group worked on the tree-planting site, the remaining participants conducted a clean-up within PCC and surrounding communities. One hundred twenty-six (126) participants cleared classrooms, houses, and surrounding spaces, linking environmental practices to the broader goal of maintaining a healthy, livable community.
For students, the activity provided an opportunity to practice environmental responsibility beyond the classroom. What appears to be a simple act of planting, clearing, and maintaining spaces helps build habits of collective responsibility toward the environment.
The annual initiative also supports Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), 13 (Climate Action), 15 (Life on Land), and 17 (Partnership for the Goals) and aligns with Presidential Proclamation No. 244, s. 1993, which declares September as National Clean-up Month.
PCC’s environmental initiative reflects the role that schools can play in mobilizing the community toward sustainable practices. Rowena T. Acacio, PCC Project ANGELS Coordinator, emphasized that the activity is for “future generations”, explaining that it’s our chance to provide a better future for our children by letting them experience what we have today. #GlynisAnneLaron
