Volunteers throughout the Zamboanga Peninsula planted at least 24,000 seedlings of various tree and mangrove species Wednesday in celebration of World Environment Month.

Rosevirico Tan, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources -Zamboanga Peninsula (DENR-9) information officer, said 1,500 volunteers joined the simultaneous tree planting organized by DENR in 12 sites across the region.

“This activity participated by various government and private entities is in celebration of the World Environment Month and the DENR anniversary on June 10,” Tan said.

He said the celebration aims to instill awareness that everyone should take action in their way to help protect and conserve Mother Earth.

“We all know that our planet is suffering, and it’s only through our citizens here on this planet that we can join hands to initiate actions for its conservation and its protection,” he said.

“There is no other planet in the solar system that can harbor life except planet earth, we need to protect this planet,” he added.

Tan said Zamboanga Peninsula residents are still lucky since it is rich in natural resources.

Tan said Region-9 has 12 established protected areas, the highest in the entire country, and “these areas exhibit high bio-diversity content as well as aesthetic value”.

However, Tan said there is a need for a concerted effort to protect the areas which are threatened by land conversion, deforestation, and climate change. (PNA)