Graduation is all about throwing?hats in the air and going out for parties after the achievement, but in Philippines there's one more thing that graduates have to do - plant trees.?
In a bid to fight the dire global pollution menace, Philippines has passed a landmark new law which requires all high school and college students to plant at least 10 trees if they want to graduate school or college.
The 'Graduation Legacy for the Environment Act', was passed on May 15 by Gay Alejano, the Magdalo Party representative.?
One of the most intents behind the implementation of this law is to help the country heal after massive deforestation that's ravaged flora and fauna.?
"With over 12 million students graduating from elementary and nearly five million students graduating from high school and almost 500,000 graduating from college each year, this initiative, if properly implemented, will ensure that at least 175 million new trees would be planted each year," Gay Alejano explains.
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"In the course of one generation, no less than 525 billion can be planted under this initiative.Ąą He added that Ą°even with a survival rate of only 10 per cent, this would mean an additional 525 million trees would be available for the youth to enjoy."
The higher education department of the Philippines government will be in charge of implementing the bill to ensure tree plantation by students in order to graduate.
According to a CNN, the trees will be planted in certain protected areas, existing forests, in mangroves, military ranges, selected urban areas, and abandoned mining sites. The Philippines government also said that the chosen plant species should be appropriate for each location, topography and the climate of the area. Moreover, indigenous plant species will be preferred.?
Planting more trees is definitely something all countries should consider doing, in order to mitigate global pollution and Philippines has certainly paved the way forward for a brighter, more environmentally-sensitive future!?