About 3,000 seedlings were planted at the top of a hill called Dueng by families of Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) members from the Ecclesiastical District of Nueva Vizcaya, in the Philippines on September 13, 2025.

The hill is one of a group of hills offering a view of three adjacent municipalities, namely, Bambang, Dupax del Sur, and Dupax del Norte.

The tree-planting activity was led by district supervising minister Brother Randy Bauto. He and the brethren first gathered at the Ineangan Congregation’s house of worship compound and from there traveled for two kilometers to the designated area of the hill.

With the guidance of forester Jhon Rey Banan, a head deacon of the Ineangan Congregation, the brethren planted seedlings of bignay, canarium, mountain apple, rambutan, and betel nut.

“Planting trees is vital not only for our everyday living but also for the future generations,” said Banan, who is the chief of the Conservation Development Section of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Centro Aritao as well as the Protected Area Superintendent of Salinas Natural Monument.  

“Through this tree-planting activity [approved] by the Church Administration, we not only promote and demonstrate care for the environment,” said district Christian Family Organizations overseer Brother Rolly Yadao. “Also, Christian families are given quality time to bond, especially the opportunity to unite in doing what pleases God.”