Among the highly critical environmental concerns that pose a threat to mankind is climate change, the devastating effects of which are currently manifesting in extreme weather patterns all over the world. The good news is, in the fight against environmental degradation, our weapons can be as tiny as a seed or as big as our vision.
 
Bearing this in mind, Tagaytay Highlands recently rallied homeowners, employees and guests behind this year’s “One Tree at a TIme” program, and renewed its partnership with the A5EAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) for the preservation of the environment.
 
In 2002, Tagaytay Highlands founder Willy Ocier pledged to plant 1,000,000 trees by 2050. Almost halfway through to the fulfillment of his pledge, Tagaytay Highlands has accomplished the planting of 485,600 fruit-bearing trees to date.
 
Meanwhile, the partnership with ACB that started in 2010 put the premier leisure destination as a recognized ACB’s “Friend of Biodiversity”, which positions Tagaytay Highlands as a business that cares for the environment and other causes.

“Tagaytay Highlands’ annual tree-planting activity, in partnership with ACB, is part of its green wave initiative and is one of our strategies in helping secure the environment so that future generations can still cherish what we have today,” club president Jerry Tiu said during the event.
 
Representatives from neighboring countries who were present applauded the project.
 
Remarked Akmal Che Mustafa, Malaysian Embassy s deputy chief of mission, “In Malaysia, biodiversity conservation has always been an integral part of our efforts in sustainable development. To me, biodiversity is not only about preserving flora and fauna; it is likewise a factor that greatly impacts food security and climate change.”
 
Other ASEAN diplomats who joined the event were Vietnam’s second secretary Le Thi Thu Thuy; Myanmar Ambassador U Ye Myint Aung and second secretary Chann Nyein Soe; and Singapore deputy chief of mission and counsellor Scott Loh. ACB executive director Roberto Oliva and Bb. Pilipinas-International 2014 Bianca Guidotti were also present.
 
Tagaytay Highlands has also released a photographic collection of “The Birds of Tagaytay Highlands” in tandem with the Wild Bird Club, proving that the mountain resort has been declared a bird sanctuary.