The Commission on Higher Education – Caraga Regional Office (CHED Caraga) formally launched the Growing One Million Malunggay Trees Advocacy Program with key officials of all Caraga Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and regional professional associations on the afternoon of February 18, 2022, via Zoom teleconferencing platform.
Spearheaded by CHED Caraga Regional Director Dr. George M. Colorado, the advocacy program aims to plant one million malunggay trees across the Caraga region in the timespan of one year with the help of all 56 Caraga HEIs and partner regional line agencies. Existing environmental and socio-civic initiatives of HEIs and partner agencies will be interwoven with the program, such as community extension programs, adopt-a-barangay programs, alumni association-led community service programs, and other school initiatives.
The advocacy program will have the intended outcome of helping to mitigate climate change, restore greenery in the surrounding environment, and for communities to enjoy easier access to malunggay trees and their many health benefits.
During the commemoration of launching, a ceremonial planting of the first 50 malunggay trees at the CHED Caraga grounds, where Director Colorado planted the first tree with the rest of CHED Caraga personnel. The activity was streamed live via Zoom and witnessed by representatives and key officials of Caraga HEIs as part of the Post-Odette Conference and Workshop held on the same day.