SBCAF leaders, including Katutubong Puno Director Imelda Sarmiento, Club Moderator Jojo Villamin, , KP Scholar Head Jhuster Dayandante, and Vice Head Saidine Madaya, alongside QC LGU and QCU officials during the project planning meeting
By: Saidine A. Madaya
The San Beda College Alumni Foundation (SBCAF) through its environmental advocacy arm Katutubong Puno (SBCAF-KP) has forged a strategic partnership with the Quezon City Local Government Unit and Quezon City University (QCU) in a major push to champion the urban biodiversity and reconnect local indigenous flora’s of the Philippines. Together, the institutions are establishing the proposed Quezon City University Museum of Native Trees, a dedicated living sanctuary designed to transform academic grounds into vibrant, green spaces.
The Katutubong Puno program began in 2013 when the SBCAF launched “Katutubong Puno: A Treebute to the future”, a special fundraising and advocacy initiative dedicated to raising environmental awareness through the planting of Philippine Native trees. Since then, the program has established and expanded through partnerships with various institutions and organizations in supporting native-tree cultivation, reforestation, and ecological preservation in various sites such as San Beda University-Manila, UP Diliman, UP Tarlac, GSIS, NLEX, Rex City, and AMOSUP. This steadfast commitment to environmental sustainability and native tree advocacy now leads us to the Quezon City University Museum of Native Trees in 2026.
Building on the track record of SBCAF-KP’s record, the most notable project is by the landmark of Washington Sycip Garden if Native Trees in University of the Philippines Diliman. SBACF-KP advocates the protection and cultivation of native trees of the Philippines such as Mangkono, Narra, and Katmon, which supports the local biodiversity and offers strong climate resilience in contrast to non-native plants. In bridging the academia and local government, SBCAF creates accessible outdoor spaces for ecological learning.
The QC LGU, led by Mayor Joy Belmonte, is providing ground support, site grading, and fence removal. Key development features include:
- 80:20 Forest-to-Park Ratio: Allocates 80% of the space to dense native forest and 20% to park amenities.
- Repurposed Structures: Relocates the existing campus gazebo to serve as the park’s central centerpiece.
- Design Finalization: The QC Administration is refining the park layout, targeted for completion by November 2026.
A ceremonial planting in late October 2026 is planned in alignment with QCU’s Quezon City Foundation Day celebration and the planting of five native trees honoring key leaders: Dr. Jaime “Jimmy” Galvez Z. Tan (SBCAF President), Ms. Imelda Sarmiento (SBCAF-KP Director for Native Trees), Dr. Theresita Atienza (QCU President), and Mayor Joy Belmonte while the Official Inauguration is planned for November 2026 which features the unveiling of the revised park design.