On June 24, on the occasion of the Feast of one of their Patrons, St. John the Baptist, the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines officially launches its country-wide “Plant a Million Tree and Save the Environment Program.”
This pro-environment undertaking is one of the priority projects of their Grand Master, Most Worshipful Romeo S. Momo who, together with his brother Masons and their respective families simultaneously planted various species of trees all over the country.
MW Momo headed the brethren and family of Masons, young and old, in planting around 1,500 seedlings in the remote area of La Mesa Dam in Quezon City. Likewise, Masons and their families together with Masonic appendant bodies participated in this tree-planting activity from Santa in Ilocos Sur, Alfonso Lista and Lamut in Ifugao, Tuguegarao City, Santiago City, Maddela and Cabarogguis in Quirino, Aritao in Nueva Vizcaya, Botolan in Zambales, Olongapo City, Bongabon in Nueva Ecija, Bulakan in Bulacan, Cavinti in Laguna, San Jose, Roxas and Bongabong in Oriental Mindoro, Lian and Tanauan City in Batangas, Sto. Domingo in Albay, Bacon in Sorsogon, Milagros in Masbate, Lahug in Cebu, Zamboanga City, Bayug Island in Iligan City, Butuan City, Surigao City, Lingig in Surigao Del Sur. Tree planting activity was also undertaken in Tandag City, Surigao Del Sur, the hometown of Grand Master Momo. At its kick-off day, the Masons have planted a total of around 25,000 trees and the activity is expected to continue until the end of the term of MW Momo in April 2019.
“We have been deluged with all the bustle and brashness of life that somehow we have forgotten to take care of our environment”, said MW Momo, adding that “as Masons continue to build a better temple in the hearts of men, let us not forget that this material temple we live in, our present environment, deserves a warm and caring treatment from all of us, Masons or not. Let us not be derelict in our obligation to mother earth as it is part of our moral responsibility to proactively nurture the nature.” In calling for further support to this noble undertaking from his brethren, the Grand Master of Masons states—“[G]ood men and good deeds do not belong to the dark. We must get involved, individually and collectively as an institution.”
Aside from tree-planting activities, the Masons will be actively participating in the September-scheduled nationwide coastal clean-up. These are the Masons’ humble contribution for the care and protection of the environment under the leadership of MW Momo.