Tagum plants 7,000 seedlings on National Arbor Day

Monday 25th of June 2012

TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, June 25 -- At least 7,000 seedlings of different species of trees were planted in three different sites by various organizations here led by the City Government of Tagum last June 25, 2012 in this city’s observance of the Philippine Arbor Day.

Around 500 people from different sectors planted the seedlings in aggregate areas in Barangay Apokon (2 sites) and Barangay Magugpo East.

Among those who participated were from the Tagum Water District, Society of Filipino Foresters, Department of Education, Department of the Interior and Local Government, University of Southeastern Philippines, Barangay Officials from the different Barangays in the city, the Philippine National Police, Philippine Army, Tagum National Trade School, LYR Group of Companies and Motortrade.

The tree species that were planted include Pili, Almond, White Lauan, Narra, Molave, Duhat and Rain Tree, said Forester Michael Tradio of the City Agriculture Office.

Willie L. Jordan, the Community Environment Officer of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Office-Tagum City expressed his appreciation to the City Government of Tagum led by Mayor Rey T. Uy for spearheading the massive reforestation programs along the Hijo Riverbanks which revitalizes the city’s watershed system.

“We are very pleased with how the local government utilized its resources for the sustainability of this noble program,” Jordan emphasized, referring to the local government’s reforestation efforts which Mayor Uy believed should be intensified along with the huge development this city is experiencing.

The city grows its own seedlings in its city nurseries which would ensure the sustainability of the program without spending a lot of money in the acquisition of tree seedlings, mentioned by Committee Chair on Environment Councilor Francisco Remitar.

The city also partnered with DENR in the maintenance of the five hectare-hedge garden in Barangay Apokon where a line of closely spaced shrubs and tree species were planted which would later become the source of seedlings via clipping.

Mayor Uy, in his previous remarks, has also been vocal that the city’s greening efforts goes beyond photo opportunities moments or for the sake of documentation but the city government takes it seriously to ensure that the planted trees will really survive.

“We don’t only plant trees but we also see to it that we manage and protect,” said the local chief executive in his previous remarks.

Said efforts secured the city a spot as a finalist in the prestigious Galing Pook Awards last year for its “Accretion Reforestation, Risk Reduction and Inter-Cropping Farming System” program awarded by President Aquino in Malacañang.

The Arbor Day, which was celebrated throughout the country on June 25, was conceptualized to develop greater awareness on the importance of the role of trees in environmental health and human life.

It is pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 643 and President Benigno S. Aquino III’s Executive Order No. 26 mandating the National Greening Program. (CLC/CIO- Tagum City/Louie Lapat)