UPB Campaigns Against Conversion of Mini-Forest

The University of the Philippines Baguio (UPB) continues guarding the mini forest infront of the university as members of the community take several actions to show its protest against the conversion of the forest into a residential area.

The UPB College of Science (CS) carries out a fun run entitled “Save the Trees, Get a Kiss” on February 10 to condemn the proposed construction of SM Air Residences at the forest park adjacent to the Baguio Convention Center as part of the agreement between the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and the SM Development Corporation (SMDC).

The fun run is to be held at the stretch of the mini forest and to be participated by the students, faculty and the administration employees.  Participants must finish five lapses around the mini-forest. The first one to finish the race will gets to choose between getting a kiss from their CS faculty crush or a week-long lunch treat.

The fun run is one of the highlights of the CS Week '09 which is themed, "A College of Science Celebration and Call to Action to Save the Forest Para Fair. CS Weeks runs from February 9 to 13.
just Melvin Jon Empizo, member of the CS Consultative Board (CSCB) said that the funds generated from the run will be used to purchased books and equipment for the college. 

Other acts of protest against the joint venture agreement of GSIS includes an open letter by the concerned UPB faculty to GSIS President Winston Garcia stating their views regarding the SMDC-GSIS deal.

(Originally posted for an Online Journalism class)