Makiling Botanical Gardens

pretty backs! :D :D :D go ahead

picture picture!

FOXTROT! COOLS! With the Officers-in-charge

• • Date Arrived: 24 0700H August 2015
  • Date Departed: 24 1700H August 2015
  
  
  • Location: Jose R Velasco Ave, Los Baños 4031,Laguna
  
  
  • Observations: UP Los Baños is public university located in Laguna, with its large covered area, it is said that, other two UP campuses (Diliman and Baguio) can fit in the University and can still have some places for other school to be placed. With thousands of students enrolling in the said university every year it is also said that, it is one of the best school that manages to produce a great number of leaders and professionals for our countries.
  
  
  • Activities: Right after the PMA contingents leaded by Lt. Col. Torbella, COP, arrived in the UP campus in Laguna, the team composed of 2cl cadets and other PMA personnel immediately headed to one of the historic sites in the campus, the Baker Hall, which is also known as Baker Memorial Hall, that has served the American during the WWII and played an important role in the war against the Japanese forces. At present, it is under the protection of National Historical Commission of the Philippines that aims to preserve the historical significance of the place. They are planning it to convert into a museum after it also played an important role in the schools extra-curricular activities. Our next place to visit is the Makiling Botanical Gardens. The local government of Laguna converted a portion of Mt. Makiling into a protected area, where in several trees and plants are being propagated and grow. At present it has several activities, conducted to promote protection of the environment.
  
  
  • Environmental Issues: Molawin river, one of the main site in the area, and according to Wikipedia, it flows through the UPLB campus to the Makiling Botanical Gardens, is now in great threat of environmental pollution. The tour guide told us that the water flowing in the river is not potable and they are not even sure if it is still safe for the living things in the area most especially the animals’ dependent in the river and trees. The main issue in this, is the residents living near the river. They have become too much dependent in the river, for they have altered its natural use. 
  
  
  • Problems: As we have conducted our tour in the area, problems that came to my attention most especially is the environment problems. This is a major concern for us to all, for if this small protected area, (take note: "PROTECTED AREA") are vulnerable to pollution and human intervention, what more to those that are not declared as protected area? Surely, those areas feels great harm and alteration. So this is an open call to us all that our environments needs special attention and requires special protection. This will not require most of our time, a simple care for the environment will do a lot, and if all of us do this simple care, we can't tell. Nature has its own way of giving back its gratitude, and if we are to take for granted this simple care to our environment, nature also has its own way of giving back its anger. And we know that it is chaotic.
  • Personal Impressions: UPLB tour is a great one. We are given the chance to gain more knowledge and share our ideas to its students. Given again the chance to return and visit their different features, I will immediately raise my hand, my two hands (include my feet) and wave like there's no tomorrow, if that's the only way I can be chosen. For the place, most especially the Botanical gardens, is definitely a promising place. :)