Luntiang Pilipinas celebrates 10th anniversary with the launch of
The 10 Million Trees Campaign
Nationwide online campaign ups climate change efforts with 10 million trees planted by 2011

Luntiang Pilipinas, the urban forestry program founded by long-time environmental advocate Sen. Loren Legarda, continues to be at the forefront of green initiatives in the country via its latest project 10 @ 10: The 10 Million Trees Campaign to be launched officially on October 14, 2008 on the occasion of Luntian's 10th year anniversary.

The nationwide online campaign encourages the valuable contribution of individuals, private corporations and businesses, and national and local government agencies in planting 10 million trees by year 2011. With mounting concern on the disastrous effects of the climate crisis worldwide, The 10 Million Trees Campaign hopes to help mitigate the impact of global warming on the health, security and lives of the Filipino people.

A memorandum of agreement between Luntiang Pilipinas, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Bureau of Plant Industry of the Department of Agriculture (DA) have already been signed, with these agencies serving as the monitoring networks to ensure the successful implementation of the campaign. Logistical support will be provided by Intel Philippines while the World AgroForestry Foundation will provide technical assistance for this campaign.

Similar to the United Nations Environment Programme, which aims to reach the 7 billion-tree mark by 2009, the campaign complements Luntian's on-going tree-planting activities such as the establishment of forest parks in numerous towns, cities, schools and universities, and along major highways and thoroughfares all over the country.

Participants of The 10 Million Trees Campaign can enter pledges to plant as many trees as they can online through www.luntiangpilipinas.com.ph the organization's new website. Pledgers are responsible for the actual tree- planting at their chosen locations and are encouraged to send in photos or videos to document their activities, and monitor the progress and growth of the trees that have been planted.

Registered pledges will be acknowledged in the form of a pledge of commitment card to be issued in the participant's name. These pledge cards also serve as discount cards at selected establishments courtesy of Luntiang Pilipinas' merchant partners.

Through this important initiative, Luntiang Pilipinas hopes to forge more and stronger partnerships with various stakeholders from all sectors of society in order to secure a better, cleaner and safer environment for every Filipino.

The mechanics, ongoing tally of pledges and documentations submitted and for more information on the 10 @ 10: The 10 Million Trees Campaign, log on to www.luntiangpilipinas.com.ph.

In 1998, Sen. Loren Legarda established Luntiang Pilipinas, a nationwide urban forestry program to promote public awareness on various environmental issues and to enjoin multi-sectoral participation in helping address such concerns. To date, the foundation has established forest parks with more than 2 million trees planted in approximately 500 hectares across the country. Now on its 10th year, Luntiang Pilipinas remains committed to doing its share in saving the environment.