In celebration of this year’s International Day of Forests, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Soccsksargen Region (DENR-12) led the planting of more than 1,479 seedlings of various tree species across the region over the weekend.

“In saving trees, we are securing our future. By protecting the forests, we are directly shielding the livelihoods and the health of every person in our communities,” newly promoted DENR-12 Director Elvira V. Lumayag said in a statement Monday.

This year’s International Day of Forests was observed on Saturday, March 21, under the theme “Forests and Economies.”

Among the tree seedlings planted across the region were narra, lauan, bayok, molave and bamboo propagules.

DENR-12 officials and employees were joined by volunteers from local government units, private sector, people’s organizations and indigenous peoples in the activity.

Soccsksargen Region comprises the provinces of Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, Sarangani and the cities of Kidapawan, Tacurong, Koronadal and General Santos.

Meanwhile, in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Energy (MENRE) held tree-planting activities in the region’s five provinces and one special geographic area (SGA).

An initial MENRE report indicated that about 1,000 tree varieties were also planted in the BARMM areas of Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi and the SGA in Cotabato province.

As the region joined the celebration, MENRE Minister Akmad A. Brahim, urged every citizen in the BARMM to help protect the environment by planting any species of trees in their surroundings, stressing that communities, farmers and Indigenous Peoples depend on forest resources for food, medicine and income.

“Safeguarding forests today helps secure livelihoods, natural resources, and a resilient environment for future generations,” Brahim said in a separate statement Monday.

The International Day of Forests is observed every March 21 to highlight the global importance of all forest ecosystems as established by the UN General Assembly in 2012.

It calls for action on proper garbage disposal and promotes local government units’ tree planting by large-scale campaigns. (PNA)