It was days before Christmas last year when Tropical Storm “Sendong” devastated the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, with rampaging floodwaters wrecking havoc on communities and claiming lives haplessly.
A tragedy that struck at the dead of night, Sendong had then left more than 1,200 dead, over 700,000 individuals struggling to cope and an estimated P1.3-billion worth of damages in agriculture and property.
In the aftermath of this catastrophe, individuals and businesses which have then responded with their own deluge of assistance, have also since realized some painful lessons that have prodded them to become more environmentally responsible individuals.
One of the businesses is property developer Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC) which responded with a campaign, dubbed “Our Roots, Our Homes—Planting Trees for a Greener Philippines” aimed at highlighting the importance of taking care of the environment.
“The sun shines on the golden city of Cagayan de Oro as residents get back on their feet and sow seeds for the future,” RLC noted.
RLC, through Robinsons Homes, has recently completed the second leg of its tree-planting program at Richmond Hills, in Barangay Camaman-an, Cagayan de Oro, where over 150 Knife Acacia saplings were planted within the 8-hectare subdivision.
“The tree was chosen to benefit the neighborhood and complement the landscape of our master-planned subdivision development,” said Joan Cosico, business unit general manager of Robinsons Homes.
Attractive tree
In addition to its drought-resistant feature, the Knife Acacia tree also blooms fragrant, bright yellow rounded flowers that form in clusters, making it one of the most attractive trees to plant. Since it grows quickly, residents are sure to feel the advantage of living amid nature.
“This is our gift to the homeowners as now, they will be responsible for taking care of the trees, a challenge they welcomed as they believe that this is an investment for their future,” Cosico added.
The tree-planting event, according to Cosico, was also a timely occurrence for the community, which has sought to rebuild and enrich the place where they make their homes.
Richmond Hills is an American-themed community that features well-landscaped open spaces, village amenities such a multipurpose-activity court, jogging path and a clubhouse that can accommodate up to 100 people for any gathering. A cascading leisure pool also adds sophistication and ambiance to the whole development.
More than just a gated neighborhood, Richmond Hills’ strategic location provides the security and convenience that every resident needs.
“What’s nice about Richmond Hills is that it is elevated compared to other subdivisions. Since we work in the city, we often look for a home that’s serene and can still enjoy the presence of nature. Richmond Hills brings us just that,” noted homeowner Bherley Hope V. Malack.
“Richmond Hills’ location is accessible to everything— schools, malls, the office,” added Evelyn Maquiling, also a Richmond Hills resident.
Bringing the good life
Like the Knife Acacia saplings that will soon grow into majestic trees, this community is expected to further flourish in the coming years. More tree-planting events are also set to be carried out in various Robinsons Homes project developments in the coming months.
Robinsons Homes is one of the four residential brands of RLC that offers choice lots as well as housing options. These projects, which are located nationwide, feature simple but fun amenities for recreation and relaxation. With over 15 years of real estate experience, Robinsons Homes continues its mission of bringing the good life to every Filipino.