Arbor Day: Sowing a Sustainable Future

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Trees support the environment by providing oxygen, improve air quality, minimize the effects of climate change, conserve water, preserve soil, and supports wildlife. Humans ought to give back to nature for conservation and to our country and thus, we celebrate Arbor Day on June 25th every year to promote and encourage tree planting and preservation efforts.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 6 Regional and field offices conducted a simultaneous tree/mangrove planting activity with a total of five thousand (5,000) seedlings/propagules planted, to wit;

The DENR Regional Office 6 employees together with personnel from the Provincial ENR Officer Iloilo, and Community ENROs of Barotac Nuevo, Guimbal and Sara, conducted a tree-planting activity where a total of six hundred (600) Philippine Ash (Tapuyay) and Bignai seedlings were planted at Brgy. Nazuni, Dingle, Iloilo.

Also, the DENR 6 conducted the Padyak Kalikasan: Php 50 Para sa Bakhawan, a mangrove planting and cycling activity where a total one hundred (100) Bungalon (Avicennia marina) mangrove seedlings were planted at the Leganes Integrated Katunggan Ecopark (LIKE) in Leganes, Iloilo.

PENRO of Aklan planted a total of one thousand (1,000) seedlings of Toog, Mt. Agoho, Acacia-auri, Golden Shower, and Badlan trees in Brgy. Cabugao, Ibajay, Aklan.

PENRO Antique planted a total of one hundred twenty-five (125) seedlings composed of Talisay, Narra and Jackfruit seedlings at Brgy. Lapaz Tubog, Hamtic, Antique. Meanwhile, CENRO Belison planted a total of one thousand twenty (1,020) seedlings of Narra at So. Apong, Brgy. Cabladan, and CENRO Culasi planted a total of one hundred forty (140) seedlings of Narra at Brgy. Magsaysay, Culasi, Antique.

PENRO Capiz planted a total of three hundred fifty (350) seedlings of Bakhaw Babae at Palina Greenbelt EcoPark, Brgy. Cagay, Roxas City, Capiz. While its CENRO Mambusao planted a total of two hundred fiteen (215) Cacao and Raintree seedlings, and mangrove propagules at Brgy. Bula, Mambusao.

PENRO Guimaras planted two hundred fifty (250) Rain tree, Jackfruit, and Chestnut seedlings at Brgy. Dagsaan, Buenavista, Guimaras.

PENRO Negros Occidental planted a total of five hundred (500) seedlings of Lambunao tree (Aglaia everetti) at Spur 19, Don Salvador Benedicto. While CENRO Cadiz planted a total of one hundred (100) seedlings of Bakan (Litsea philippinenses) at Sitio. Margarita, Brgy. Caduha-an, Cadiz City. CENRO Bago planted one hundred (100) seedlings of indigenous tree species at Brgy. Kumaliskis, Don Salvador Benedicto. And, CENRO Kabankalan planted five hundred (500) seedlings of Ilang-ilang at So. Mabahas, Brgy. Gatuslao, Candoni, Negros Occidental.

“Human illegal activities have badly abused our land and the outcome of these thoughtless consumptions could lead to environmental deterioration and species extinction. We celebrate Arbor Day by planting trees/mangroves in order to make a huge impact with our small actions,” said DENR 6 Regional Executive Director Livino B. Duran.

“This is just one of the many ways that we could give back to our nature. Together, let us be responsible and take part in creating a greener, bluer and sustainable future,” he added.

More than one thousand environmental advocates coming from the other government agencies, academe, uniform personnel, private institution/organizations, youths, volunteers, and communities gathered together in every corner of the region to celebrate Arbor Day.

Arbor Day is created under Republic Act No. 10176, which mandated that all provinces, cities and municipalities are required to conduct a tree planting activity. (DENR-6)