APPEND KASAMBAYANIHAN

The profound impact of Typhoon Yolanda and the succeeding typhoons on millions of lives and livelihoods of our people and member organizations, we've embraced environmental stewardship as a divine mandate. We strongly believe that protecting our ecological diversity is paramount, safeguarding not just ourselves but also the future generations.

To this end, nationwide initiatives have been undertaken, focusing on tree planting and nurturing in uplands, lowlands, and coastlands, resulting in the successful planting of 349,220 trees across the Philippines in 2014.

Our nationwide initiative spans the uplands, lowlands, and coastlands, focusing on tree planting and nurturing. Beyond the act of planting, we consistently educate our employees and communities about the pivotal role of trees in our daily lives:

1. Oxygen is life-sustaining, and trees are its source. They offer a myriad of practical and commercial benefits.
2. Trees are pivotal in water conservation, air quality improvement, and soil preservation. They act as natural filters, removing pollutants like carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide.
3. Temperature regulation is another feat trees achieve, reducing the greenhouse effect's heat intensity by maintaining lower carbon dioxide levels. Properly placed trees reduce energy consumption in buildings, cutting air conditioning needs by 30% and saving 20-50% in heating energy.
4. From fuel to construction materials, furniture, paper, and various household items, trees offer an array of resources crucial to daily life.
5. Mangrove forests serve as vital shields against rogue waves and tsunamis, doubling as breeding grounds for marine life.

In 2023, the APPEND Board reinvigorated the TREES Program under the unified tagline: “Isang Puso. Isang Puno, Para sa Panginoon” (One Heart. One Tree, For the Lord). This program draws inspiration from the ethos and practice of APPEND KASAMBAYANIHAN principles:

1. APPEND is a pioneering alliance of Christian social development non-governmental organizations in the Philippines. Formed by six micro-enterprise development NGOs, its primary focus is strengthening member-organizations' environmental care and protection efforts. Additionally, it oversees, documents, and reports on the progress and impact of tree planting initiatives.
2. KASAMA, representing like-minded individuals and organizations within APPEND, unites all members and individual client-members in concerted efforts to reforest both uplands and shorelines, fostering a collaborative approach to environmental restoration.
3. SAMBA (worship), derived from the act of worship, underscores the significance of planting and nurturing trees and the natural environment as a form of reverence to the Triune God, the Creator of the Earth and all its elements.
4. BAYAN (community), echoing community and national pride, instills a sense of communal responsibility, inspiring tree planting and care endeavors driven by love for the community and country.
5. BAYANI (heroes) recognizes the collective efforts of donors, board members, staff, and local communities engaged in tree planting and environmental conservation, acknowledging them as contemporary heroes championing this noble cause.
6. ANIHAN (harvests) embodies the concept of bountiful harvests linked to the health of forests and robust mangroves, safeguarding farmlands and water bodies, ensuring sustained food production for communities and the nation.

2.2  Goal:  Launch comprehensive reforestation initiatives and foster the adoption of climate-resilient agricultural practices. These endeavors are crucial in securing the enduring prosperity of client-members' households, support organizations, and the broader communities they inhabit. By fortifying ecological resilience in response to formidable climate challenges, these efforts serve as a cornerstone for sustaining not just livelihoods but the very lives intertwined within these environments.

2.3 Objectives:

1. Cultivate and nurture FIVE MILLION Trees, fostering vibrant and thriving green landscapes across the Philippines.
2. Collaborate proactively with diverse stakeholders, including people’s organizations, indigenous communities, Local Government Units (LGUs), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and pivotal government bodies like DILG, DENR, and DA. Strengthening these partnerships will amplify the impact of the Trees Project, sustainable livelihood initiatives, and educational programs focused on environmental conservation practices.
3. Uphold the protection, resilience, and enduring well-being of Filipino families and future generations, nurturing a legacy centered on environmental stewardship and prosperity

2.4  APPEND Member TREE Champions:

1. TSPI Rizal and CALABARZON with the MPNRI FI Foundation as the learning hub and planting site in NCR.
2. KMBI for Bulacan and Mindanao region;

• ASKI & Affiliates for Central Luzon;

1. TSKI & KMDC and Subsidiaries for Visayas and Palawan;
2. PALMFSI for Bicol Region.
3. ECLOF for Palawan areas

• KRCI for Negros Islands;
• PAG-ASA for North Luzon;

1. And other APPEND affiliates
2. Learning hubs and prayer sites shall be developed in areas led by Partners champions.

2.5  Basis of the TREES Program - Arbor Day Act of 2012 (RA 10176)

Section 8 of the Arbor Day Act of 2012 mandates that all able-bodied citizens of the Philippines, who are at least twelve (12) years of age, shall be required to plant (1) tree every year.

2.6. Funding. The cost of native tree is PhP390.00 (USD$7.80)

2.7. Call to Action

Join us in our endeavor to plant 5 million trees, benefiting 150,000 community members and their families. A donation of Php390.00 or USD 7.00 per tree includes:

1. Fruit-bearing (coconut, native fruits) seedlings (minimum height of 3 feet)
2. Comprehensive tree tagging with blockchain technology for transparency and accountability.
3. Our community ensures the planting, watering, weeding, and overall maintenance of the planting site on your behalf.