MANILA, Philippines — The Eastern Rizal Miners’ Association (ERMA), headed by its president Lita Lee of Rapid City Realty and Development Corporation, Wednesday launched its Reforestation / Agro Forestry Project in support of the Aquino government’s National Greening Program at Sitio Kaysakat, Bgy. San Jose in Antipolo City, which is within the Marikina Watershed Reservation (MWR).

“This is our own way of giving back the fruits of Mother Nature who has been providing us with bountiful blessings. Seedlings of Acacia, Mahogany, Narra and fruit-bearing trees were planted to symbolize our commitment to nurture our environment,” Lee explained.

The event was highlighted by a grand simultaneous tree planting activity participated in by more than three hundred representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), provincial government of Rizal, Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA), and ERMA member companies.

The momentous activity was led by Lee, DENR Regional Executive Director Nilo Tamoria; Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Regional Director Sammy Paragas; Provincial Environmental and Natural Resources Officer Ray Crisostomo; Vice Governor Frisco San Juan; wife of Antipolo City Mayor Danilo Leyble, Menchie; and PMSEA President Louie Sarmiento.

According to Sarmiento, the PMSEA fully supports undertakings like this by member companies showing that sustainable development could be achieved through responsible mining.

Under a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the DENR, ERMA committed voluntarily to assist the government in its “massive, intensive and sustained tree growing, planting and caring activities in response to the threat of climate change and global warming.”

The ERMA adopted to maintain, conserve and develop the biodiversity of the more than twenty-hectare area for ten years and may be upgraded into a Special Use Agreement within a Protected Area (SAPA) anytime when the suspension of the SAPA is lifted and shall be valid for a term of twenty five years.

Member companies of ERMA include Rapid City Realty and Development Corporation; Teresa Marble Corporation; Orica Philippines; A.C. Equities, Inc.; B.M. Equipment and Resources, Inc.; Batong Angono Aggregates Corporation; Delta Earthmoving, Inc.; Equirent, Inc.; Gozon Development Corporation; Hardrock Aggregates, Inc.; La Concepcion Construction and Development Corporation; LDD Drilling and Blasting Management and Consultancy, Inc.; Millex Construction and Development Corporation; Monte Rock Corporation; Republic Cement Corporation; Rizal Goldenrock Aggregates Corporation; Solid Cement Corporation; and Eastern Aggregates Corporation. (RRR)