Iloilo plants 10,000 trees for greener future

By Mariela Angella Oladive

More than 10,000 seedlings were planted simultaneously across Iloilo on Thursday, June 25, as the provincial government marked Philippine Arbor Day and advanced its goal of becoming a “forest province” by 2044.

The provincewide activity mobilized 2,505 Barangay Service Point Officers, with each officer tasked to plant four mangrove, indigenous, or fruit-bearing tree seedlings.

The initiative was spearheaded by the Federation of Iloilo Provincial Service Point Officers Inc. and the Office of the Provincial Population Officer.

It supports Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.’s flagship environmental program, Tanum Iloilo: Toward a Forest Province.

Provincial Population Officer Ruel Von D. Superio said the simultaneous tree planting reflects the province’s commitment to environmental protection through community participation.

“Every tree we plant is a step toward a greener, healthier, and more sustainable future. Through collective efforts and simple acts of environmental stewardship, we can help restore our natural resources, strengthen community resilience, and leave a lasting legacy for generations to come,” Superio said in a statement.

Observed every June 25 under Republic Act 10176, Philippine Arbor Day promotes tree planting and environmental conservation through nationwide participation.

Meanwhile, Tanum Iloilo for MoRProGRes is the provincial government’s data-driven reforestation strategy aimed at restoring forests and watersheds while expanding the current 12% forest cover to 33% by 2044.

Launched in 2020, the program also promotes social forestry projects for food security and ecotourism.

It also encourages public and private stakeholders to plant trees in schools, government offices, and other public spaces.

According to the Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office, more than 40% of seedlings planted under the province’s tree-growing initiatives have survived.

The province targets planting 1.5 million seedlings annually, covering about 2,000 to 3,000 hectares, as part of its long-term forest development strategy.