Photo Courtesy: World Mission Society Church of God Philippines
DAVAO CITY, Philippines — June 14, 2026 — Trees are seeds of hope for a sustainable future amid the growing challenges of climate change. Demonstrating its commitment to environmental protection, ASEZ WAO, the young adult worker volunteer group of the World Mission Society Church of God, planted 1,000 mangrove trees and conducted a coastal clean-up activity dubbed as 2026 Mother’s Forest Project in Tabok, Barangay Matina Aplaya, Davao City on June 14.
The activity, which began at 10:00 a.m., gathered 459 participants, including ASEZ WAO volunteers, local residents, and representatives from government agencies. The event was part of ASEZ WAO’s global Mother’s Forest Project, an environmental campaign that aims to make the Earth greener by planting a total of 8 billion trees worldwide under the slogan, “One Person, One Tree.”
“Considering the Philippines’ vulnerability to climate change, tree planting is a way of planting hope for the future,” an ASEZ WAO representative said. “To leave a sustainable tomorrow for future generations, our young people participated in the Mother’s Forest Project.”
Volunteers planted 1,000 mangrove seedlings along the coastal area of Matina Aplaya. Mangroves play a vital role in protecting shorelines from erosion and storm surges while serving as highly effective carbon sinks that absorb and store large amounts of carbon dioxide. Through the activity, participants contributed to strengthening coastal resilience and promoting environmental sustainability in the community.
In addition to planting mangroves, volunteers conducted a clean-up drive along the coastline, removing waste and debris to help create a healthier environment for the newly planted trees and surrounding marine ecosystem.
The activity was attended by several government representatives who showed their support for environmental conservation efforts, including PMAJ Genesis P. Oriel, Station Commander of Talomo Police Station 3; SFO3 Rodelle G. Estoloso, Chief of the Community Relations Unit of the Bureau of Fire Protection; Rodenmar Poala B. Reyes, RMT, MPHA, Health Program Researcher for Environmental and Occupational Health of the Department of Health; and Aleli Dionela, Chief of the Environmental Education and Information Unit of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and representing JSSUPT Ruelito M. Bobadilla, Regional Director of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Region XI, personnel from the Davao City Jail Main, Annex, and Female Dormitory joined the mangrove planting and coastal clean-up activity, demonstrating the agency’s support for environmental conservation efforts.
ASEZ WAO stated that the project reflects the organization’s commitment to practicing love and service through volunteerism while carrying out its mission to be “the salt and the light of the world” through good deeds.
The Davao City activity is one of many environmental initiatives conducted by ASEZ WAO throughout the Philippines. The organization has also implemented the Mother’s Forest Project in locations such as the Las Piñas–Parañaque Wetland Park in Metro Manila, Balik Pulos Mountain in Leyte, and the Pakkadian Mangrove Conservation Area in South Cotabato.
Beyond tree planting, ASEZ WAO actively carries out environmental campaigns including the Green Earth Project, which focuses on cleaning parks and forests; the Blue Ocean Project, which promotes the clean-up of rivers, lakes, and coastlines; and the “No More GPGP” campaign, which encourages the reduction of single-use plastics. Volunteers also visit schools to raise environmental awareness and inspire younger generations to participate in protecting the planet.
Through its continued efforts to serve communities and protect the environment, ASEZ WAO has received numerous commendations and citations from local governments and public institutions across the Philippines.
By planting mangroves today, ASEZ WAO volunteers hope to leave behind more than trees—they hope to leave a greener, safer, and more sustainable future for generations to come.
