By Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ President Dr. Ernest Howard B. Dagohoy and ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡AAI President Atty. Jeremy Bionat are getting ready to plant the Bitaog-Dancalan tree.
On November 30, 2023, at 9:00 AM, the ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ community gathered behind the University Church for a meaningful tree planting activity to celebrate the investiture of its 18th president on the institution’s 118th year.
Dr. Amy Castigador, the ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Director of the Office of Institutional Advancement and a member of the ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Sustainable Campus Committee, expressed gratitude to the participants for joining the symbolic event. She announced the planting of 18 different indigenous species of trees, symbolizing the university’s commitment to sustainable practices.
The program commenced with a prayer and a thoughtful reflection by Rev. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on, who emphasized the biblical mandate to care for the Earth. He underscored the importance of stewardship, invoking the ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Core Value, and encouraged everyone to embrace the slogan “A Tree for Three,” highlighting the pivotal role trees play in sustaining life.
Dr. Aries Roda Romallosa, Chairperson of the ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Sustainable Campus Committee, presented a program summary to the new ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ President, Dr. Ernest Howard B. Dagohoy, underscoring the committee’s efforts in crafting a comprehensive program to be implemented in the next years.
Dr. Aries Roda Romallosa formally submits to ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ President Dr. Ernest Howard B. Dagohoy the comprehensive program crafted by the ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Sustainable Campus Committee.
Before the tree planting began, Atty. Jeremy Bionat, President of the ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Alumni Association, elucidated the significance of the 18 tree species. He highlighted the Bitaog-Dancalan Tree, a special choice for President Dagohoy, as it hails from Dancalan, Ilog, Negros Occidental, the hometown of his mother. Atty. Bionat recounted the historical presence of a Bitaog-Dancalan Tree near the main gate, planted most probably by Centralians from Ilog during the American missionary era, which still stands today.
Following this, the 18 tree species were planted, with Presidents from ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ and ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡AAI taking part in the planting of the symbolic Bitaog-Dancalan Tree.
Atty. Bionat further detailed the initiative of the ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Alumni Association, in collaboration with the ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Sustainable Campus Committee, in preparing seedlings and planting native trees, including the national tree, Narra, the Dungon tree representing ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡’s connection to Barangay Dungon, Maganhop, and Malunggay.
Appreciation was extended to all members of the ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Administration, university units, ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡-DA Agri Fair Committee, Sustainable Campus Committee, Buildings and Grounds, ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Republic, ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Agriculture Students Association, ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ Alumni Association, and volunteers for their crucial role in this green initiative. This event marks the beginning of more environmentally conscious endeavors for ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡.