The municipal government here, along with partner stakeholders, has been fortifying a 20-hectare reforestation area in Barangay Agaga by planting more fruit-bearing trees every year.

In time for the celebration of Arbor Day on June 25, a total of 1,220 grafted fruit-bearing trees, including avocado, guyabano, jackfruit, duhat, caimito, and chico, are now being prepared at a nursery for a simultaneous tree-planting program in the area.

Arbor Day is an internationally recognized secular holiday that encourages individuals and groups to plant and care for trees.

“We are trying to convert the tree plantation area into a food forest and, at the same time, for reforestation,” Jay-arr Tiguiamo, municipal environment and natural resources officer of Burgos town, told the Philippine News Agency on Thursday.

He said that about two hectares are now part of the food forest, and the municipal government hopes to expand the area in the coming years.

In partnership with the local community, the local government unit continues to deploy workers to maintain the food forest.

The same site is also home to an arboretum project led by the Energy Development Corp., which harbors Philippine native trees and indigenous plants for conservation and education.

Barangay ranger officers commissioned by the provincial government are also being trained here in forest restoration and nursery management to gain practical knowledge to boost local forest restoration efforts. (PNA)