Librarians, Local Government Join Forces for Tree-Planting Drive in Sitio Sumayahon

In a united effort to promote environmental sustainability, a tree-planting activity was held on May 5, 2023, at Sitio Sumayahon, Barangay Perez, Kidapawan City, as part of the CANOPY’23 [Citywide Advocacy for Nature and Opportunity through Planting for You] Initiative. The event was spearheaded by the City Government of Kidapawan in partnership with the Philippine Librarians Association, Inc. (PLAI) – Region 12, and the Cotabato Libraries and Information Network (COLINET).

More than a hundred participants—including librarians, information professionals, government employees, and local volunteers—gathered early in the morning to plant hundreds of native and fruit-bearing trees in the area. The activity supports CANOPY’23’s overarching mission to enhance environmental awareness and encourage active participation in climate action through community-based reforestation.

The event opened with a short program featuring messages from local officials and organization representatives, emphasizing the importance of reforestation in protecting watersheds, improving biodiversity, and building climate-resilient communities.

The CANOPY’23 Initiative is a nationwide environmental program engaging various sectors in tree-planting and conservation efforts to combat deforestation and promote ecological balance. The involvement of library professionals in Region 12 underlines the growing movement of knowledge workers extending their role from information dissemination to community action.

The trees planted during the activity will be monitored regularly to ensure growth and sustainability, with future plans to expand the effort to other barangays and upland areas in the region.