The centre of Barrancabermeja experienced a day of transformation and environmental awareness thanks to the planting of 120 ornamental plants in the Plazoleta de Telecom and Avenida de Los Periodistas, led by the District Mayor's Office in coordination with the Association of Formal Merchants, the National Army and the Veolia company. The initiative sought to restore the urban landscape of the city's commercial heart and strengthen the culture of environmental care among Barrancabermeja residents.
In addition to the beautification day, an educational activity was held with the children of the Huellitas Child Development Centre (CDI) in the Siete commune, where 320 children participated in recreational activities on the importance of protecting natural resources. They also planted trees in their school environment, strengthening environmental education from early childhood.
‘The main objective of this activity was not only to beautify the city centre, but also to raise public awareness of the importance of caring for and preserving the plant species that are now part of these renovated spaces,’ explained Andrés Polo, an official from the Secretariat of Environment and Energy Transition.
Janeth Afanador, president of the Barrancabermeja Merchants Association, praised the coordination between sectors and emphasised: ‘We are grateful for the support of the Municipal Council, Veolia and our soldiers from Barrancabermeja, who came to support us in this wonderful task, wanting to beautify this beautiful square that is the entrance to our commercial sector.’
The commitment to environmental education was also consolidated at the Semillitas CDI, where the Environment Secretariat held workshops on the importance of flora, fauna and water. ‘We think it's a very nice activity, where our children learn from an early age to care for the environment. They don't just plant the trees, they also take care of them. These are very nice educational activities in which they learn by doing and participating,’ said Nelly Flórez, a teacher at the CDI Semillitas. The day ended with the children symbolically planting trees.