In November 2024, 194 National Service Training Program (NSTP) students of Saint Louis University (SLU) attended Christ the King Sunday at Home Sweet Home – Baguio. As part of putting faith into action, they participated in regreening activities under the NSTP’s Bolstering and Intensifying Lousian Initiatives for Greening Movements (BILIG) project.
“Bilig”, a Kankanaey term for “forest,” inspired the project’s name and reflects its goal to boost initiatives for alternative approaches to reforestation and the development of greener areas.
Ongoing deforestation driven by growing human demands and greed requires urgent and sustained countermeasures. While appealing to conscience and ethical responsibility is important, effective protection of natural resources also demands direct, coordinated actions that complement philosophical, psychological, and legislative efforts. One key strategy is to increase green spaces through planting trees and other vegetation. However, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted local nurseries, which are the primary sources of plants such as pine trees, bamboos, coffee, and medicinal herbs leading to jeopardized reforestation efforts. To address this, it is essential to reestablish these nurseries, ensuring a reliable supply of plants for greening projects. As a leading institution and role model, SLU developed its own plant sources that not only supports sustainability initiatives but also demonstrates institutional commitment beyond relying solely on external agencies and donors.
The BILIG regreening project supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 13 and 15, which focus on combating climate change and protecting terrestrial ecosystems. (Article from John Paolo Magno, NSTP-CWTS Department and Photos from Jonel Dalimag)
