This is the science of what we are doing – DENR

In the recent conduct of the National Simultaneous Tree and Bamboo Planting Activity themed “Buhayin ang Pangangalaga sa Kalikasan” on September 13, 2022, more than 3,000 seedlings of native trees and bamboo culms were planted by more than 1,000 volunteers and participants.

The activity was spearheaded by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Region 6 in close collaboration with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Agriculture (DA) and the local government unit of Maasin where the activity was conducted.

DENR 6 Regional Executive Director Livino B. Duran, together with DILG Regional Director Juan Jovian E. Ingeniero and DA Regional Executive Director Remelyn R. Recoter led the tree and bamboo planting activity at Brgy. Caigo, Maasin, Iloilo.

“Dubbed as the Bamboo Capital of the Philippines, we chose Maasin to support the bamboo industry in this municipality and the benefits it could give to the general public,” Director Duran said.

“Study shows that bamboo can absorb tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) per hectare each year, thus it helps lower the temperature and mitigate the impacts of climate change. We choose bamboo because this is the science of what we are doing, we all have good reasons to plant bamboo, not just for the tag (as ‘bamboo capital’),” he added.

In his message Ingeniero said they are looking towards the success of this activity for the next years to come.

“Let us encourage the community to protect our environment by means of planting,” Ingeniero added.

Maasin Municipal Mayor Francis A. Amboy also assured the three Regional Department heads that they will took care of the planted seedlings.

The simultaneous tree and bamboo planting activity was in line with Proclamation No. 1401 declares the month of September as the ‘Philippine Bamboo Month’ signed by former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte on June 27, 2022. Other provinces had conducted their tree and bamboo planting activity in their respective areas of responsibility. (DENR 6)