Thousands of volunteer citizens of San Pablo City in Laguna gathered recently to set a Guinness World Record for the largest number of people planting coconuts simultaneously in multiple venues.
This was announced by Swapnil Dangarikar, Official Guinness Adjudicator, who travelled all the way from India to observe, verify, and certify the official world record attempt.
According to San Pablo City Mayor Najie Gapangada Jr., around 10,000 coconut seedlings were planted in 11 rural barangays in response to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s challenge for Filipinos to plant millions of coconut seedlings throughout the country. The challenge was made during the President’s State of the Nation Address.
For San Pablo City, the Guinness World Record is beyond achievement and publicity.
“The event marks the beginning of a massive three-year coconut planting program to restore San Pablo City’s standing as the number one coconut-producing area in the Philippines.”
“The event marks the beginning of a massive three-year coconut planting program to restore San Pablo City’s standing as the number one coconut-producing area in the Philippines,” Gapangada said.
The mayor explained that many of San Pablo’s coconut trees are already decades old, making replanting necessary for a healthy environment.
He also linked the effort to future economic growth, particularly with the planned expansion of the San Pablo City-based Franklin Baker Company (FBCo), recently acquired by businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan. FBCo, a 100-year old company, will need a huge supply of coconuts.
“Planting coconuts today will translate into employment opportunities tomorrow.”
“Mr. Pangilinan has assured me that the factory will be relocated to a new agri-industrial zone to be established in San Pablo to expand its operations. This means more jobs for San Pableños. Thus, planting coconuts today will translate into employment opportunities tomorrow,” Gapangada explained.
The effort was spearheaded by two volunteer groups: the Maiba Naman Movement and One San Pablo Movement headed by Ernie Empemano, Thousands of students, PTA and Teaching and Non-Teaching Personnel of DepEd San Pablo headed by Gerlie Ilagan and other Private Schools in partnership with the City Government.
Gapangada highlighted the importance of citizen involvement.
“Planting coconuts is not just the responsibility of the government. Community participation is vital. Government and citizens must work together,” he stressed.
The event also drew support from local and provincial leaders, including Governor Sol Aragones (represented by Vice Mayor Antonio Aurelio); Vice Governor Atty. JM Carait; Board Members Karla Adajar-Lajara and Jigcy Pecaña Jr.; City Councilors John Adajar, Carmela Acebedo, Richard Pavico, and Gel Adriano; as well as Philip Young, Special Assistant to the Secretary of Dept. of Agriculture; Regional Director Bibiano Consibido Jr. of PCA Region IV-A and Provincial PCA Manager Warren De Guzman.
The Guinness World Record attempt coincided with the nationwide observance of National Coconut Week, celebrated every last week of August in the Philippines.
