October 11, 2008 – Ninety-three Philippine Army soldiers biked at La Mesa.

March 27, 2009 – One hundred and forty of them biked again and planted trees. And finally, their commitment to enhance the Tower 11 was accomplished.

Armed Forces of the Philippines committed to enhance La Mesa’s Tower 11. This is one of the 8 towers used to monitor the watershed and to look for probable violators ramming the forest. Department of National Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and Philippine Army Commanding General Victor Ibrado commenced the ceremonial tree-planting along with other military generals and officers. Fun-biking then kicked off as part of their nature appreciation activity. Sec. Teodoro and General Ibrado pledged to donate about 15 dump trucks of gravel to rehabilitate La Mesa’s road network. The first mound of gravel was delivered right after the said event.

Save the La Mesa Watershed Project Manager Valerio Mendoza thanked the soldiers for their cooperation towards an improved La Mesa forest. Bantay Kalikasan Program Adviser Marlo Mendoza marked the notable partnership between Bantay Kalikasan and the military in preserving nature.

DND Secretary Teodoro said during his speech that climate change, not insurgency, is the most serious threat because nobody can stop nature’s retaliation.

“One of our [subsidiary] responsibilities is to protect the environment. This activity is not a mere compliance to military command, but rather, a fruit of everyone’s initiative to work together towards a sustainable environment,” Teodoro added.

Lt. General Ibrado concluded, “A lot of good things come out from good things. We first came here only to bike.” He asserted that this is just a start of AFP’s creditable partnership with BK.