A total of 2,600 saplings of native trees including bitaog, narra, dungon, duhat, talisay, and bamboo were planted on Thursday along the 11.35-kilometer stretch of the Cabulalaan River in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte, as part of the Arbor Day celebration.
Every June, officials and employees of local government units (LGUs), national agencies, private organizations, academic institutions, people’s organizations, and community volunteers plant trees in barren areas.
This year, the Cabulalaan River, covering 12 barangays, was chosen as a site for the Arbor Day activity as a model river under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ RIVERs for Life (Recognizing Individuals/Institutions Towards Vibrant and Enhanced Rivers) Awards, which honors communities and officials for implementing environmental laws and river conservation initiatives.
“This is also part of the implementation of the Cabulalaan River Wetland Management Plan,” Rhoel Marcelo, senior environmental specialist and chief of the Protected Area Management and Biodiversity Conservation Unit of DENR-Ilocos Norte, said.
In Vintar town, the Environment and Natural Resources Office (ENRO) spearheaded the planting of 300 Narra trees in Barangay Alsem to expand forest cover, rehabilitate degraded lands, enhance biodiversity, and improve critical watersheds.
“Thank you to the local government unit of Vintar for hosting the celebration of Arbor Day and to all participants who joined in the tree growing activity,” Joegie Jimenez, environment program officer of ENRO-Ilocos Norte, said.
Other towns and cities in the province conducted separate tree-growing initiatives.
Instead of the usual native trees, Paguludan Primary School in Currimao planted malunggay trees to help green the environment and provide a sustainable source of nutritious food for learners and the community.
“This is our way of fulfilling our duty to protect and conserve our natural resources, as mandated by law, while building a healthier and greener future for the next generation,” Paguludan Elementary School, led by Richard Galindo, said.
Arbor Day in the Philippines is observed every June 25 by virtue of Proclamation No. 643, which amended Proclamation No. 396, s. 2003. (PNA)
