Western Visayas volunteers plant 141,880 trees

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More than 8,000 volunteers across Western Visayas joined Arbor Day 2026 by planting 141,880 seedlings of various tree species in support of a cleaner, greener, healthier, and more resilient future.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region 6 said 8,969 volunteers participated in the regionwide activity.

DENR 6, from its regional office to its field offices in Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, and Guimaras, worked with local government units to mobilize volunteers for planting activities in urban, upland, and mangrove areas.

Volunteers planted native tree species, including narra, tapuyay, and malabago, as well as fruit trees, mangrove seedlings, and high-value crops in suitable sites.

The regional mobilization covered 211 sites and an estimated 151.73 hectares across Western Visayas.

DENR 6 said the effort transformed Arbor Day 2026 into one of the largest coordinated volunteer activities in recent local history.

Despite gloomy weather in some areas, volunteers made early morning treks to mountain slopes, while others walked to coastal areas.

The activity brought together participants from government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, youth groups, and the private sector.

They were united by a goal to restore the region’s forest cover and help combat climate change.

Arbor Day 2026 is part of the Luntiang Bukas Movement, a unified national effort that integrates forest reforestation, urban greening, and community action.

The initiative uses Arbor Day as a platform to build climate resilience and turn environmental awareness into measurable conservation, tree growing, and long-term ecosystem investment.

“We are incredibly grateful for the support of all volunteers; without them, planting more than a hundred thousand trees in one day would have been an impossible feat. But beyond Arbor Day, we hope to inculcate a deep love for trees and the environment. One tree at a time, we can build a more climate-resilient future for the generations to come,” said Ramar Niel V. Pascua, DENR 6 officer-in-charge regional executive director.