Campus News

UIC Pharm-Chem Program to help reforestate HOLCIM quarry

The University of the Immaculate Conception Pharmacy-Chemistry Program (UIC Pharm-Chem Program) has collaborated with HOLCIM Quarry Davao to help in the latter’s long-term sustainable reforestation program of its quarry site in Tibungco, Davao City.

As part of the program, UIC Pharm-Chem faculty conducted a tree planting activity at the HOLCIM quarry, wherein 16 faculty personnel joined hands to plant around 300 Narra seedlings in about 0.5 ha of the 1.5 ha allotted to the UIC Pharm-Chem Program.

HOLCIM plans to reforestate a total quarry area of around 650 ha and envisions to transform this vast quarry area into a “forest park in the city”. So far, of this 650 ha quarry area, almost a third or around 200 ha have been planted with hard trees like mahogany, gemelina, molave, narra, and fruit trees like mango, lanzones, etc. The tree planting activity was only a commencement of the UIC Pharm-Chem Program involvement with HOLCIM reforestation program. The Pharm-Chem Program will also assist in the future development of a vast botanical garden inside of the reforested area.

In the orientation prior to the tree planting, Engr. Cilor P. Guevarra, HOLCIM Davao Mining, CSR and Administrative Services Manager, emphasized that HOLCIM is committed to take care of the environment. The objective of the quarry rehabilitation is to promote responsible mining by restoring the fauna and flora of the mined out limestone quarry area.

Likewise, S. Ma. Corazon Loquellano, rvm, Dean of the UIC Pharm-Chem Program which is guided with a mission to care for, restore, reserve, and enhance life, desires to put the Program in the forefront of herbal research in the region.

HOLCIM has also invited the Program for any pharmacy- or chemistry- related research proposal concerning the reforested / quarry site. HOLCIM resources may provide an avenue for UIC Pharm-Chem Program’s research goals. With this and guided by the same principles towards a sustainable development, inking of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the two parties to strengthen bilateral ties and harness expertise of each for a greener goal, is underway.

Ms. Josephine Ortega and Ms. Joan Santillana, Pharm-Chem Program Community Service Officers organized the tree planting event in association with HOLCIM Quarry and Development Engineer Engr. Joel G. Badang.