Skip to content
OurVote2022logo
mindanews-fact-check-logo-1
  • Business
  • Peace Process
  • Governance
  • Travel
  • Arts & Culture
  • Special Reports
  • Mindaviews
  • Pictures
Menu
  • Business
  • Peace Process
  • Governance
  • Travel
  • Arts & Culture
  • Special Reports
  • Mindaviews
  • Pictures

MinDA says sorry for Treevolution lapses

  • Mindanews

-

  • October 1, 2014
Share this story

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/01 October) — The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) apologized to volunteers who were reportedly injured in last week’s island-wide tree planting activity dubbed TreeVolution.

The apology came after stories came out in social media that some participants fainted from exhaustion after walking to the sites of planting. There were complaints that organizers failed to tell them about the exact distance of the sites.

In a statement, MinDA said they had already reached out to those who were subjected to physical exhaustion and explained the situation.

“In some planting sites, it turned out that reaching the area by several kilometers walk rather than by trucks was the safest mode given the circumstances,” the statement read.

“It was a decision made on that instance to principally avoid possible catastrophic pitfalls from slippery terrain.”

The statement added that the emergency medical response mechanisms by the Philippine National Police, Central 911, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Local Emergency Response Teams, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils, and the Traffic Management Group helped in preventing any other untoward incidents.

Complaints reached social media over the weekend after participants, in several comments on www.facebook.com/MindanaoTreevolution, berated the organizers for supposedly asking them to walk for two hours despite promising transport to the sites.

“As organizers of the TreeVolution, a composite team of MinDA and DENR had been coordinating with the families and schools of those who went through physical exhaustion, while assisting those who needed further medical attention,” the statement added.

Forums will be held in the next few weeks in those schools to draw out reflections from students, and communicate on the next steps of nurturing the trees they planted.

A MinDA official said they have given medical assistance to those onsite, as well as traced the location of patients in the case of those brought to the hospitals and shouldered their medical expenses.

In an interview at the Grand Menseng Hotel Tuesday, Minda director for investment relations and public affairs Romeo Montenegro told reporters there were only isolated incidents of fainting, mostly in Davao City.

“What we need to understand is that the world record attempt was not the all-encompassing point of the tree planting activity,” he said.

“The point was to raise awareness about planting more trees, and I think we have achieved that.”

He said there were no other untoward incidents reported outside Davao City.

Montenegro, however, clarified that the “promise” of the organizers to transport volunteers to the site via trucks was changed at the last minute, as the rains had made it dangerous to use vehicles.

“If we pushed the trucks to go to the area as planned, there would have been accidents. We tried to prevent that,” he explained.

He added they trusted the Department of Environment and Natural Resources with their choice of crops and locations.

“I’m sure that agency would not have picked crops that did not fit the soil profile of the identified areas,” he said.

As of Tuesday, the organizers had counted a total of 3,517,489 seedlings and propagules planted across 260 locations in six regions by 189,755 volunteers, including those in conflict-affected communities.

“In fact, the magnitude of response in some areas was overwhelming with volunteers exceeding the expected number of participants,” the statement added.

In Marilog District, MinDA said at least 13,000 volunteers showed up, which more than doubled the expected number of participants. Most of them were students and members of the academe. (MindaNews)

Your perspective matters! Leave a comment below and let us know what you think. We welcome diverse viewpoints and encourage respectful discussions. Don't hesitate to share your ideas or engage with others.
Advertisement
Rakrakan
Follow us on Facebook
Facebook
The MindaNews Podcast
-- ad here--

TOP STORIES

SPECIAL REPORT: In Lebak, community-managed mangrove forest provides food and livelihood for residents 

Bong S. Sarmiento September 24, 2023 8:06 pm

NorMin produces less amid increase in coffee bean production nationwide

Froilan Gallardo September 23, 2023 10:19 am

128 human trafficking victims rescued in Sulu

Frencie Carreon September 21, 2023 8:56 pm

3 ex-Sayyaf members surrender in Sulu

Frencie Carreon September 21, 2023 8:05 pm

Groups urge Filipino youth to remember martial law

Antonio L. Colina IV September 21, 2023 4:29 pm

MINDAVIEWS

UNDERSTANDING OUR HERITAGE (2): The Hindu-Buddist influences in our culture

Greg Hontiveros September 17, 2023 4:21 pm

TAUSUG IN DOHA: Always opt for the Best

Gamson Jr Mawallil Quijano September 17, 2023 2:52 pm

KINURISKURIS: San Pedro Cathedral

Keith Bacongco September 17, 2023 2:51 pm
Read more MINDAVIEWS

BUSINESS NEWS

18 homegrown cafés joining Davao Coffee Crawl

Antonio L. Colina IV September 20, 2023 3:12 pm

25 delegates from Mindanao to join international expo in Sabah

Antonio L. Colina IV September 13, 2023 2:00 pm

Senator Villar cites EU’s GSP+ during tuna congress

Bong S. Sarmiento September 7, 2023 5:21 pm

Davao Region’s inflation rate lowest in Mindanao

Antonio L. Colina IV September 5, 2023 9:53 pm

Japanese firm looking for more suppliers of coconut-based food products

Mindanews August 31, 2023 2:35 pm

95 exhibitors to join Davao Agri Trade Expo

Antonio L. Colina IV August 23, 2023 5:48 pm

ARTS & CULTURE

Sarangani writers showcase literary works in Philippine Book Festival

Genory Vanz Alfasain August 27, 2023 4:11 pm

INTERACTIVE MAP | Cagayan de Oro Higalaay Festival 2023

Yas D. Ocampo August 25, 2023 2:00 pm

Davao City Events | Palawud x Holodeck, Budots: The Craze

Mindanews August 19, 2023 10:10 am

Kadayawan Festival 2023 event guide

Yas D. Ocampo August 7, 2023 4:01 pm

The MindaNews Podcast: Aubrey DS and the creative pursuits that drive us

Mindanews July 10, 2023 7:06 pm
eric gancio of yano

The MindaNews Podcast: Davao-based Eric Gancio and the return of Yano

Yas D. Ocampo June 2, 2023 5:15 pm

MindaNews is the news service arm of the Mindanao Institute of Journalism. It is composed of independent, professional journalists who believe and practice people empowerment through media.

23C Saturn St. GSIS Subdivision, Davao City Philippines Tel. No.: 082 297 4360 editor [at] mindanews.com
Facebook Twitter

© MindaNews 2016 -2023 | All Rights Reserved

About Us

Privacy Policy