San Miguel Brewery strengthens re-greening program

By: Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Now on its 10th year, the San Miguel Brewery (SMB) through its tree planting activity aims to sustain the company’s national re-greening program to protect, preserve, and rehabilitate the forest covers in both urban and rural settings nationwide.

The re-greening efforts kicked off here last Saturday at Barangay Handumanan, where the company adopted 3,000 square meters in National Economic Development Foundation (NEDF) ecopark to support its rainforestation project at the said village.

Around 400 seedlings were planted at the said park, which is envisioned as a model conservation-oriented and interactive learning environment providing a living space of learning for urban communities in Metro Bacolod.

The activity was in partnership with the Negros Press Club (NPC), Rotary Club Bacolod – central, village officials, and the NEDF, as its newest partner this year.

SMB Bacolod plant manager Dante Patrimonio, along with NPC president Chrysee Samillano, NEDF executive director Rosa Depra, SMB Bacolod communication officer Maria Antonietta Lopez, and Environment and Natural Resources Office-Bacolod head Maximino Sillo led the unveiling of a marker at the ecopark.

Dubbed as “Trees Brew Life,” the nationwide environmental project has succeeded in planting about 1 million seedlings since 2010.

This year, around 70,000 seedlings of hardwood, mangrove, and fruit-bearing species will be planted in identified areas nationwide.

SMB president Roberto Huang, in a press statement, said “conducting this re-greening program concides with our mother company’s direction to propagate water sustainability. There’s no question that water is essential in our business, and trees are the means by which we can secure ample supply of it for years to come.”

This year, we will focus on re-greening parks and communal areas, and adopt forest parks so that we will have more green spaces where our families can commune with nature. Our watersheds and forests are a valuable source of water, food, shelter, and host of other benefits that offer immeasurable impact on our lives and that of future generations, Huang said.

“It is not only about planting trees, but it is also about brewing the foundation of life for generations to come,” he added.

The project also aims to aid in regenerating mangrove areas in coastal communities and to ensure the availablity of water supply in the communities where the company operates.

For Bacolod brewery, it has already adopted an area at the Bacolod tree park in Barangay Alangilan, and planted at its newly-acquired properties in host barangays – Granada and Estefania, and last year at the Upper Caliban-Imbang watershed in Talisay City, Negros Occidental.

SMB looks to further boost its environmental  efforts to keep in line with San Miguel Corporation’s (SMC) pledge in adapting water sustainability measures in all of its businesses.

Aside from environmental concerns, SMB is also actively involved in programd that promote education, health, and basic services and livelihood.