More than 200 youth volunteers took part in a tree-growing activity on June 18, 2025, in Sitio Pandan, Dalicanon Falls, Barangay Tan-awan in Kabankalan City, planting 500 native tree seedlings as part of the city’s continuing push for environmental sustainability.

The initiative was led by the City Government of Kabankalan, the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation, and the Local Youth Development Office (LYDO), in partnership with the city’s youth council members. Fifteen youth organizations participated, along with members of the Hope Builders Organization Negros Island Inc. (HBONI), whose Area Coordinator for Kabankalan, Gladys Gustilo, joined the activity.

Gustilo emphasized the vital role of young people in environmental protection, stressing that tree planting and active community involvement are part of their social responsibility in driving meaningful change.

Volunteers planted sangil, lumangog, and camagong seedlings, all native species known for their ecological value. The activity aimed not only to restore green spaces but also to strengthen youth engagement in climate action.

Local Youth Development Office designate Kaiser Divinagracia extended his gratitude to the participants and reminded them that sustainability does not end with planting.

“Salamat sa inyo tanan. Ang aton nga gintanom diri, indi lang naton bayaan. Palanggaon ta kag balikan ta ini dason binulan,” he said, encouraging participants to revisit and nurture the trees they planted.

Divinagracia added that initiatives like this instill environmental responsibility among the youth and inspire collective action toward long-term ecological balance.

Dubbbed as TREEbYOUTH, the activity served as a practical investment in the future—one seedling at a time—for Kabankalan and the generations yet to come.*