High five for the partners of 10M in 10 as the movement celebrates its anniversaryNot even the COVID-19 pandemic could stop the 10 Million Trees in 10 Years for a Greener Negros (10M in 10) movement from pursuing its goal of planting, growing and maintaining at least 10 million trees to restore the forests in Negros Island.

The movement that was catalyzed by Energy Development Corporation (EDC) honored its partners via a Zoom celebration themed “High Five at 5” for their dedication that resulted in the planting of more than eight million trees by 2020.

Over 100 partners representing various stakeholder groups graced the virtual event.

“We are grateful to our partners whose unwavering commitment to our common goal of regreening Negros island was proven as they helped us exceed our five million target number of seedlings to be planted and managed to maintain an average survival rate of 85% amid this challenging year,” said Norreen Bautista, head of EDC’s CSR team in Negros that also manages the company’s 10M in 10 contributions.

“The health crisis brought about by COVID-19 has put the spotlight even more on the need to keep our air clean through decarbonization, which entails planting and growing native trees as well as shifting to renewable energy for our source of power,” she added.

The addition of 83 new sign-ups brings the movement’s partners to 252 as of December 2020.

In the anniversary celebration, 10M in 10 honored some of its most committed partners.

Cited were Alliance of Mangrove Planting Organizations that was able to plant 500,000 seedlings since it became one of the movement’s founding members in 2015, and Jefrey Palata and his organization, Edmund Rice Industries-Kabankalan, Negros Occidental chapter.

Palata came up with a climate change module that involved planting 1,000 native tree seedlings with the help of Fr. Jude Garceniego, head of Sharing with the Poor is Always a Grace- a HOPE that is now a 10M in 10 member, and other volunteers.

10M in 10 also paid tribute to “rainforestation” farmer Rene Vendiola of Liptong Woodland in Negros Oriental, and Atty. Henry Sy Yap, who turned his 16-hectare Farmville de Bago into a 10M in M reforestation area. (Story/Photos by: Frances Ariola)