Piyesta sa Kakahuyan stresses forests’ role in flood control

By Mariela Angella Oladive

The Iloilo provincial government officially opened the 25th Piyesta sa Kakahuyan Month Celebration on Monday, Sept. 1, at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol, marking a renewed push for forest protection as a key strategy in climate resilience and flood prevention.

Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. led the ceremony with Vice Governor Nathalie Ann Debuque, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-6 OIC Regional Executive Director Red Raul Lorilla, Provincial Administrator Raul Banias, and other local officials and environmental partners.

Defensor underscored the province’s commitment to forest development, saying the monthlong celebration supports efforts to realize Iloilo’s vision of becoming a forest province.

“The forest is the best flood control project,” he said.

Themed “Paghanduraw kag Pagpasanyog,” the celebration highlights the province’s forest development strategy under Executive Order 195, also known as Tanum Iloilo for MoRProGres.

The strategy focuses on long-term forest growth and protection rather than ceremonial tree planting.

It emphasizes three priority areas: recovery of primary forests in upland areas, strengthening Integrated Social Forestry zones to support sustainable livelihoods, and mobilizing public and private lands for tree-growing initiatives.

Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) Chief Cesar Emmanuelle Buyco Jr. said the milestone reflects a broader environmental movement.

“This is a memorable step forward for a cleaner and healthier community, a greener and healthier province, a greener and healthier forest province. Please continue to support our climate-resilient forest province,” he said.

Lorilla praised the celebration as a symbol of community unity in environmental preservation.

Piyesta sa Kakahuyan was established under Provincial Ordinance 2000-040 and has since grown into a platform for public and private collaboration in environmental protection.