CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Misamis Oriental — Uniting over 2,000 participants across Mindanao and Leyte to promote sustainability and climate resilience, volunteers broke a Guinness World Record (GWR) for the most people planting bamboo simultaneously across multiple locations across the Philippines.

The event highlighted the country’s commitment to environmental sustainability and a circular economy that has long been advocated by the international community in combating climate change and global warming.

In a delayed report, GWR adjudicator Sonia Ushiriguchi officially confirmed the achievement last November 28, 2024 during the National Science, Technology, and Innovation Week organized by the Department of Science and Technology (DoST) in Cagayan de Oro City. Ushiriguchi awarded DoST and its partners the title of the 'Most Number of People Planting Bamboo Simultaneously (Multiple Venues)'.

The record-breaking event saw 2,305 volunteer participants planting bamboo in 19 locations across Mindanao and Leyte.

Science and technology secretary Renato Solidum Jr. emphasized the importance of the initiative as he cited that the initiative was part of DoST’s Kawayanihan Circular Economy Movement for the promotion of bamboo as a key resource for climate resilience, environmental sustainability and economic growth.
“We must love our environment as much as we love our children—ensuring they are healthy and live in a peaceful, stable place,” Solidum pointed out.

"The Kawayanihan Circular Economy Movement supports our Science, Technology and Innovation for Circular Economy (STI4CE) framework which encourages sustainable consumption and production, material reuse and integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles," he added to explain.

To ensure the bamboo planting event's success, DoST collaborated with Bukidnon's First District and 85 local government units (LGUs) as well as other national government agencies, private organizations and members of Congress.