DENR, Philpost link up for massive tree planting

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Philippine Postal Corp. will team up to stage a massive tree planting activity on Nov. 12. An article on the DENR website said some 13,000 PhilPost employees will plant trees at PhilPost offices across the country as part of PhilPost's 110th anniversary. "PhilPost's decision to widen its yearly tree planting activity into a nationwide and year-long undertaking shows going green has become an indispensable element in any corporation's modernization program and its advocacy on planting trees will surely contribute to its efforts in reinventing itself," said DENR secretary Jose Atienza Jr. PhilPost has a workforce of 13,000 employees stationed at more than 2,000 post offices, distribution centers and mailing outlets nationwide. It has more than 2,500 mail vans and motorcycles. Also, PhilPost is mounting efforts to be part of the fight against global warming. Last Oct. 22, PhilPost signed an agreement with the DENR represented by assistant secretary David Suarez, in its main office at Plaza Lawton in Manila for the nationwide tree planting event. The DENR will provide seedlings for the planting. On the other hand, a working committee to be composed of PhilPost and DENR officers will be formed to oversee the implementation of the event. Before, tree planting rites were done only at PhilPost's main office as part of its anniversary celebrations. With its move to adopt tree planting as a key feature in reinventing itself, Atienza said DENR's advocacy efforts to get Filipinos to plant trees has been greatly shored up. "We are hoping that Philpost's green advocacy will be contagious and other public and private corporations will do the same," he said. Postmaster General Hector Villanueva said the volume of letters his agency now handles is down to less than a million a day from around 6 million a day in 1992 due to the widening use of electronic mail and text messaging. The state courier is however focusing in parcel and bulk mail such as bank statements, credit card renewal, flyers, brochures and annual reports given PhilPost extensive network. To curb theft and restore the public's trust in their services, a total of 129 employees have been dismissed between 2004 and 2006, with 26 suspended; 33, reprimanded; 100 fined; 30 forced to resign and closed 49 cases. - GMANews.TV