Nayong Pilipino Foundation (NPF) Deputy Executive Director for Operations, Dr. Jovertlee Pudan (left to right), NPF Board of Trustee Atty. Judy A. Lardizabal, NPF Executive Director Gertie Duran-Batocabe, Major Wilfredo Ponceja of AFP-RJT NCR, NPF Deputy Executive Director Joyce Ann Caigas, Sgt. Rafael Pagulayan of AFP-RJT NCR. (NPF photo)
MANILA – To create an urban green space within the Entertainment City in Parañaque City, the Nayong Pilipino Foundation (NFP) organized a tree planting activity on Friday on the occasion of National Women’s Month.
In her speech, NPF Executive Director Gertie Duran-Batocabe emphasized that creating more green spaces should be part of the new normal.
“As you all know, the Covid-19 pandemic has triggered important conversations about the importance of urban green spaces and how those should be designed to benefit the health and well-being of the populace,” she said.
Last year, NPF opened its doors to host the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) quarantine facility and a mega vaccination facility to support the national government’s Covid-19 pandemic response.
“While we are more than happy to contribute to the pandemic response, it is our dream to transform this 9.5-hectare property into a Cultural Park and Creative Hub nestled within an urban forest, incorporating the 30% built space and 70% green space design scheme,” Duran-Batocabe added.
Under “Project Sambayanihan”, a series of activation projects for the physical development of the said property will commence throughout the year, including a series of planting activities that aims to plant 446 trees.
During the activity, seedlings of flowering trees namely Palawan Cherry and Bolong Eta were planted to honor women.
“Trees provide a foundation for life to flourish. They’re life-giver and sustainers. In the same way, we, women, provide a foundation for our families and communities with our innate ability to nurture and protect,” said Duran-Batocabe.
With these efforts, the NPF executive director is confident, that in no time, with each and everyone’s hard work, Nayong Pilipino will be open to the public again. (PR)
