St. Francis Xavier Seminary is located in Liteng, Pacdal, Baguio City. This is my first time to come to this place. Ever since I have known that it was the chosen place in Baguio City to be part of the National Greening Program, I had been keeping this in mind to pay a visit.
Today, we finally did go.
Here are a few photos of the seminary. I can't seem to find info about it online. Maybe next time I will find out more about it.
They recently opened up their doors to senior high students.
Age is noticeable on this structure but it seems maintained as best they can.
We were greeted by the guard and directed to where the bamboo plantation is which is located behind the seminary just past the basketball court.
This 1M hectare project is part of the ASEAN commitment of reforestation of 20M hectares by year 2020. A forum was conducted before and it was decided that this is the feasible area to put up a plantation. These bamboos were fit for tropical and high elevation places like Baguio and Benguet. Some of the species of bamboos can be seen planted here in Pacdal.
I believe there were more kinds planted. The place were not yet fully developed for touring. Right now it is free to go there. Maybe when it is finished and ready for business, then fees will be imposed.
Bamboos are known to hold the soil because of its roots' long reach as far as 20 km which is effective for erosion prevention and they multiply quickly. They also help in carbon sequestration and in turn releasing oxygen to the environment.
Not only bamboos are planted here but also in different areas in Baguio and Benguet like Busol Watershed, Benguet State University and Botanical Garden.
In addition to the true purpose of helping the environment, this program will also help propagators and businesses. For now, the aim is to plant and nurture these bamboos.
Other private sectors and agencies were also invited to join and help in this project.