Shincheonji Volunteers unite government, youth for Rizal reforestation drive
VIA GRAPHIC PLUS — Shincheonji Volunteers (SCJ Volunteers) recently brought together government agencies, youth, educators, the military, and local communities for a reforestation effort in Sitio Parawagan, Barangay San Rafael, Rodriguez, Rizal, where 250 narra seedlings were planted and distributed to support the municipality’s environmental conservation efforts.
Held under the theme “50K Trees: Green Shields Save Lives,” the tree-planting activity brought together the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO), the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), the Philippine Army’s 80th Infantry Battalion, Peacemaker International Christian Academy (PICA), and residents of the Parawagan community in a shared effort to restore forest cover and strengthen environmental stewardship.
Of the 250 narra seedlings prepared for the activity, 155 were planted during the event, while the remaining 95 seedlings were turned over to community members for planting and long-term care, extending the reforestation effort beyond the day’s activity.
The tree-planting activity engaged 23 SCJ Volunteers, alongside senior high school students, teachers, personnel from PICA, MENRO, BJMP, the Philippine Army, and community residents. Participants welcomed the collaborative effort, recognizing its contribution to environmental protection, youth engagement, and community safety.
The activity also marked SCJ Volunteers’ third tree-planting effort in Rodriguez and its first as lead organizer under the “50K Trees: Green Shields Save Lives” campaign. It builds on the organization’s continuing collaboration with the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO), following its participation in a tree-planting activity led by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and another under the Oplan BUSILAK Program in celebration of the 125th Founding Anniversary of the Province of Rizal.
Speaking on behalf of Mayor Ronnie Evangelista, Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer Emma Liwliwa S. Baradi-Medina said the activity complements the Rodriguez local government’s continuing environmental programs, which promote forest restoration, biodiversity conservation, and greater community participation in protecting natural resources.
New partnership strengthens volunteerism
Before the tree-planting activity, SCJ Volunteers and Peacemaker International Christian Academy (PICA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), laying the foundation for future volunteer-driven initiatives. The agreement provides a framework for jointly planning community programs, mobilizing volunteers, promoting public participation, coordinating resources, and advancing environmental and social responsibility through sustained collaboration. The recent tree-planting activity served as the first environmental project under the new partnership.
Following the successful collaboration, SCJ Volunteers is exploring additional partnerships with MENRO and BJMP to expand future environmental conservation and volunteer programs.
As a global non-government organization affiliated with the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, SCJ Volunteers advances community welfare through volunteerism, with programs focused on environmental protection, livelihood support, and educational and social development. Through campaigns such as “50K Trees: Green Shields Save Lives,” the organization continues to work alongside government agencies, educational institutions, and local communities to strengthen volunteerism, promote environmental stewardship, and build more resilient communities.
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