Baguio City – Eighty-five (85) volunteers took part in the 10KOK: Tree-Caring Activity and Community Clean-up Drive, in partnership with the Sagip Kalikasan Program of Sto. Tomas National High School and the Local Government Unit of Sto. Tomas in Sto. Tomas, Baguio City, on September 14, 2024.
Volunteers from the city including University of Baguio, Sto. Tomas National High School and the Barangay officials of Sto. Tomas planted coffee, longan, ipil-ipil, and avocado seedlings in Apugan, Santo Tomas. The seedlings were generously donated by the Benguet State University’s College of Forestry and College of Agriculture, while the event was funded by Adal Kordilyera.
Kysha Napadawan, the YES-O President of Sto. Tomas National High School, said that she promotes segregation of waste and proposing such tree planting and caring activities to her fellow youth. “Ang active kasi ng school namin, that’s why gusto ko rin silang maging active sa maka-kalikasan na part,” she said.
Inspired by the tree-planting event, Napadawan plans to organize environmental camps, film viewings about the environment, quiz bees, and upcycling activities for her community. “This activity raises awareness about the environment,” Napadawan noted.
Ferlyn T. Marcelo, Chairperson of the 10KOK Project, stated that the initiative empowers youth to contribute positively to the community and promote a cleaner environment. “This project is truly challenging, but it gave me enough opportunity to be a good advocate on taking care of our environment, especially to our biodiversity,” she remarked.
Jessica L. Bilat, President of CYLC, extended her gratitude to everyone who joined the activity. When asked about the said noble cause, she said that it was very fulfilling and heartwarming because they received the same warmth as the previous run of 10KOK from the area.
“It is very easy to plant a tree but it’s very hard to grow one,” said volunteer Princess Janynne Abreu, a Tourism Management student from UB and a member of the University of Baguio-The Travel Club.
“Until we can support the environment, we should, so that we don’t have to plant double the number of trees, and that we will be able to survive and not have communities that will be unlivable in the future,” Abreu added.
10KOK is a long-term environmental sustainability initiative by the Cordillera Young Leaders Club (CYLC) that aims to adopt urban eco-parks and communal forests across the Cordilleras over the next ten years, mobilizing 10,000 eco-warriors in the process. The program introduces activities such as tree planting and care, as well as the maintenance, development, and promotion of these eco-parks and forests.
For updates on future activities, visit and follow 10KOK, and Cordillera Young Leaders Club Facebook pages.
