Michelle Ann P. Chomayag, LPT
The University of Baguio, in partnership with the Palawan Group of Companies and CHED Project Sagip, successfully launched the third season of its flagship greening initiative, PROJECT GROOM ME (Greening, Optimizing, Orchestrating, and Magnifying Mother Earth) on August 23, 2025. With the theme “A Call for P.L.A.N.T.E.R.S.: Preserving Life through Action, Nurturing Trees to Engage, Restore, and Sustain”, the campaign reaffirmed UB’s strong commitment to environmental stewardship, ecological awareness, and sustainable development through active collaboration with its academic community and external partners.
The activity brought together 250 participants, including 163 students (65.2%), 12 faculty members (4.8%), 22 staff (8.8%), 2 alumni (0.8%) from the School of Business Administration and Accountancy and the School of Criminal Justice and Public Safety, 1 LGU representative from Sablan (0.4%), 30 community members from Sablan (12%), and 20 teachers from Mabini Elementary School (8%). With support from UB’s School of Nursing and the School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts (STELA), these stakeholders demonstrated collective action toward sustainability and highlighted the University’s role as a catalyst for community-based initiatives.
In collaboration with the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO), led by Forester Floro Bastian, the project distributed 250 fruit-bearing seedlings worth approximately ₱75,000.00, consisting of 150 Cherry Guava and 100 Kalamansi/Ponkan. Unlike traditional tree planting at the Busol Watershed, this season introduced a home-based planting strategy, encouraging families to grow seedlings in their own spaces. This approach improved monitoring, strengthened participants’ sense of ownership, and ensured long-term care of the trees. Over the next decade, the initiative is projected to sequester about 6.25 tons of CO₂, contributing to SDG 13 (Climate Action) by reducing carbon emissions, improving air quality, and expanding climate education (SDG 13.2.1, 13.3.1, 13.3.2). Beyond climate benefits, the project advanced sustainable land use, biodiversity restoration, and food security. By planting fruit-bearing trees in homes and schools, it supported SDG 2.5.1 (Zero Hunger) on food security and sustainable agriculture, and SDG 15.3.1 and 15.3.3 (Life on Land) on land restoration and biodiversity integration. The participation of 163 students provided experiential learning opportunities that advanced SDG 4.3.4 (Quality Education) on student involvement in sustainability. At the same time, the project mobilized schools, higher education institutions, government, and private organizations, reflecting SDG 17.4.3 (Partnerships for the Goals) on multi-sectoral collaboration.
Beyond climate benefits, the project advanced sustainable land use, biodiversity restoration, and food security. By planting fruit-bearing trees in homes and schools, it supported SDG 2.5.1 (Zero Hunger) on food security and sustainable agriculture, and SDG 15.3.1 and 15.3.3 (Life on Land) on land restoration and biodiversity integration. The participation of 163 students provided experiential learning opportunities that advanced SDG 4.3.4 (Quality Education) on student involvement in sustainability. At the same time, the project mobilized schools, higher education institutions, government, and private organizations, reflecting SDG 17.4.3 (Partnerships for the Goals) on multi-sectoral collaboration.
Through these efforts, PROJECT GROOM ME Season 3 became more than a tree-planting activity, it served as a model of how education, environmental action, and partnerships can converge to create lasting impact. By embedding measurable SDG contributions into its design, PROJECT GROOM ME reaffirmed the University of Baguio’s vision of nurturing a greener, healthier, and more resilient future for its community and generations to come.
