On November 8, 2024, faculty members, staff, and students from the College of Teacher Education (CTE) gathered at the Surigao Watershed Resource Reserve for the Year 2 “Adopt-A-Hectare Program” in partnership with the Surigao Metropolitan Water District (SMWD) and PrimeWater Surigao Metropolitan. The event took place at Sitio Bakahan, Brgy. Mabini, Surigao City and demonstrated a unified effort toward environmental sustainability.

5:30 AM Participants arrived early at the venue, ready to contribute to the day’s activities. An attendance check ensured all participants were accounted for. The event officially began with a heartfelt prayer led by Dr. Carmelina Puracan-Mosa, Dean of the College of Teacher Education, who highlighted gratitude for the opportunity to protect nature and the importance of safety for all attendees. After the prayer, faculty members from the BPED program led a dynamic stretching session to prepare participants for the physical tasks ahead.

The main activity involved planting seedlings in designated areas under the guidance of local environmental officers. Participants learned proper planting techniques to ensure seedling survival and growth. The tree-planting activity reinforced the shared responsibility of protecting natural resources and highlighted the role of reforestation in combating climate change and preserving biodiversity.

The event emphasized environmental stewardship and demonstrated the university community’s commitment to creating a lasting impact. Through collaborative efforts, the program successfully engaged participants in meaningful conservation work, fostering a stronger connection to nature and the surrounding community.