Village Connect
In celebration of this year’s Philippine Environment Month, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) led on June 8, a simultaneous nationwide tree-planting activity to help restore the country’s forest cover.
The DENR mobilized 15,636 participants to plant 154,406 seedlings of several tree species in planting sites all over the country.
DENR Acting Secretary Jim O. Sampulna underscored the importance of the activity to boost the government’s reforestation program and partnership with various stakeholders.
“Although reforestation is an essential activity in the forestry sector of the department, this should not be viewed simply as an activity that is attached to our mandate,” Sampulna said in a message read by DENR Undersecretary for Finance, Information Systems and Climate Change Analiza Rebuelta-Teh.
“We must continue to forge alliances with all our stakeholders, especially the local communities and the youth sector, in pursuing the fulfillment of our mandate,” he added.
Around 9,448 bamboo propagules were planted in the National Capital Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, MIMAROPA, Northern Mindanao, and SOCCSKSARGEN.
Sampulna cited that the promotion of bamboo planting could help curb illegal logging in the forests, as bamboo could be an alternative source of lumber.
Meanwhile, 144,958 seedlings of various forest and fruit-bearing tree species, such as narra, mangrove, cacao, coffee and other indigenous seedlings were used in the activity in other regions.
Sampulna added that the government’s reforestation is expected to contribute to poverty alleviation, particularly in the coastal and urban areas.
The main tree-planting activity was held in Bgy. Lanit, Jaro, Iloilo City as part of the DENR’s 35th founding anniversary and the Leadership and Environmental Sustainability Summit.
The 4,800 sq.m. site is envisioned to be a bamboo forest.
Other DENR regional offices, local government units and stakeholders also held their respective tree-planting activities.
