Sustainability

January - March 2021 mlcares-admin

PLANTING SEEDS OF CHANGE WITH M LHUILLIER M Lhuillier has been involved in diverse tree planting activities throughout the years. On multiple occasions, OPEC chapters have actively done the following initiatives on verdure rehabilitation. Starting off with a remarkable revisiting of one of their plantation sites from 12 years ago.

A project of OPEC Orient Valor of M Lhuillier Negros Oriental – Siquijor Region involved tree planting for almost 1,000 sqm at the Landfill & Material Recovery Facility in Bayawan City where they planted multiple kinds of trees such as Mahogany and Rubber. On January 30, 2021, a site revisit was done by M Lhuillier Neg Or- Siq Officers and Staff. The fulfillment brought by this remarkable milestone led to the humanitarian pledge of continuity to care for mother nature.

February 11 - OPEC Sandugo Officers organized a Mangrove Rehabilitation program with the help of the Agricultural Department of Calape, Bohol particularly in Barangay San Isidro. The day began with a briefing and introduction seminar conducted by the agricultural personnel on how to properly plant the seedlings and to ensure successful growth and propagation. The training also highlighted how these mangrove plants can help refresh the air, protect the sea from pollution to abruptly enter, and how mangrove reservoirs serve as natural breeding habitats for fish. On a separate occasion, OPEC Sandugo also assembled to do another Tree Planting activity in rehabilitation of an empty mountain in Ubay, Bohol.

February 20 - OPEC Zambasulta-Vinta in collaboration with Mi Cuidad, Cuidad participated in the Mangrove Planting and Coastal Cleaning at Barangay Mampang Masepla OPEC Zambasulta-Vinta has been passionately joining mangrove planting and otherenvironmental rehabilitation events since 2015. The team has planted over a hundred mangrove seedlings with the help of other local government units, NGOs, and private institutions. 

March 20 - OPEC Orient Valor arranged a CSR and Environmental Preservation Activity at Barangay Canlargo, Bais City, Negros Oriental. They were able to plant 120 Mangroves and 20 Api-Api trees which specially thrive in estuaries. 

April 20 - Mlhuillier OPEC Panay Hugyaw conducted a Tree Planting Activity at Barangay Pandan, Dingle, Iloilo City. On the same date, OPEC Tuna Generals Sargen Region managed a Tree Planting Activity in honor of the 29th Foundation Anniversary celebration at Barangay B’laan, Malungon, Sarangani Province. The location was in one of the most far flung areas in the region. It was quite significant as the indigenous people who joined even wore their traditional tribal clothing.  Afterwards, the OPEC team proceeded to the gymnasium for the program together with the government officials of the Municipality of Malungon. The activity concluded with a recognition ceremony done by the municipal Mayor, Honorable Atty. Tessa Constantino with the distribution of giveaways and snacks served to all guests and visitors.

Lastly, on June 8, 2021, M Lhuillier OPEC Centrum Cebu composed of Regional Manager Peter  Aguirre, Area Managers, Officers, and the local government unit headed by Barangay Captain Richard Bacayan Sr. conducted an environmental awareness program and tree planting activity at the mountains of Barangay Buot Cebu City. This tree planting activity commemorated the semi-annual series of planting activities and will surely be just the start to more initiatives in the future. 

Water is vital to human survival. Similarly, the Earth’s water forms also needed to be taken care of and sustained. One of the ways to ensure longevity in life underwater is to initiate coastal clean-up activities.

On March 7, 2021, OPEC Zambasulta-Vinta hosted a coastal clean-up activity which gathered 10 sacks of garbage. This movement provided an opportunity to raise awareness on the preservation and protection of coastal areas. At the same time, on the reduction of waste to save these areas from toxic materials. 

Apart from the coastal clean-up, they also conducted a river rehabilitation drive in collaboration with a lot of organizations such as Mi Cuidad Cuidad Foundation, the Local Government Unit, private agencies, and the concerned residents of Barangay Pasonanca. The drive was called One Mission River Clean-Up Drive which included an installation of garbage traps and signages at Km4 Pasonanca, Zamboanga City. The activity paved the way for residents to be more mindful of their waste disposal and to keep the river clean at all times. The activity aims to mitigate their existing struggle as a frequently flooded area during heavy rains. OPEC Zambasulta-Vinta was represented by the following: OPEC President Jeorge Elcamel, Regional Manager Jeremias Supilanas Sr., Regional Area Manager Teresa Supilanas, together with its other officers. The culmination of One River Clean-up was an awarding ceremony by Atty. Jose Rizalino L. Ortega, Convenor of “Mi Cuidad Cuidad”, who awarded the Certificate of Recognition to OPEC Zambasulta-Vinta for their active participation in such events.

Subsequently, on May 21, OPEC Tuna Generals Sargen joined the Ocean Month Celebration and Coastal Cleanup Drive at E. Alegado, Barangay Glan-Padidu, Glan, Sarangani Province. It was led by M Lhuillier’s Regional Manager Isagani C. Lauronilla and OPEC President Robert Jake Gotubat with OPEC Officers. The activity was actively participated by both government and private officials of the municipality; some of those to mention would be the Department of Environment Natural Resources (DENR), Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officers (MENRO) and Community Environment and Natural Resources (CENRO). Engineer Arvel Lara, MENRO Head Officer, expressed his utmost gratitude to M Lhuillier for always supporting their environmental projects and actively campaigning for environmental care.

The clean-up drives had aimed to achieve the same objectives: to remove trash from the beach and other waterways; to identify the sources of the litter; and to change human behaviors that caused pollution. All of the initiatives were believed to be a success and inspired the fisher folk to be more responsible.

M Lhuillier’s dependable presence in the community has been sought about by various barangays. Their consistent ways to reach out to residents have paved the way for greater impact. Last March 7, OPEC Zambasulta Vinta conducted a Feeding Program for the residents of Barangay Tugbungan. The activity was spearheaded by OPEC President Jeorge Elcamel in collaboration with Atty.Jay-ar Ortega of “Mi Cuidad, Cuidad” Foundation, and Barangay Tugbungan’s barangay captain, Hon. Abraham Rojas.

On a later occasion, M Lhuillier OPEC Centrum Cebu also provided Barangay Buot in Cebu City a back-lit signage indicating the said barangay’s name, 5 big trash bins, and 30 brooms to sustain the community’s upkeep. The distribution was initiated by Regional Manager Peter Aguirre together with his area managers and OPEC Centrum officers.

The installation of the Barangay signage was the most awaited part of the turnover as this signage allows the barangay to be identified. The kindness of M Lhuillier went beyond the exterior embellishments as they also provided 50 pieces of ML T-Shirts and keychains to the constituents of the barangay. 

These generous gestures from M Lhuillier [instigated by both OPECs truly signify that the Bayanihan Spirit and faith in humanity will make these trying times feel lighter. May the recipients of the donations also pay it forward to spread kindness to one and all.