Ilocos Sur environment office plants 200 bittaog on National Arbor Day

By Imelda C. Rivero

Wednesday 27th of June 2012

VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur, June 27 (PIA) -- The Environment and Natural Resources Office of the province planted 200 bittaog seedlings in the coastal barangay of Casiber, Santa town to replenish the disappearing bittaog trees in the province, and save its coastal barangays from erosion on National Arbor Day, Monday.

The ENRO staff was joined by barangay officials, residents and the staff of the Bureau of Telecommunications of Candon and Vigan City.

ENRO chief Mario Ruelos said the hard tree bittaog was chosen because its roots go deep, spreading wide to hold soil or sand.

Bittaog, he said, has been used by San Vicente town furniture makers as it is drought-resistant, and sturdy to stand against strong winds along the coasts.

Last year, bittaog seedlings were also planted on Arbor and Independence Day by community volunteers and the local government unit.

Meanwhile, Ruelos said a weeklong coastal cleanup is being done in all the barangays of the province to strengthen their bittaog planting activity.

National Arbor Day in the Philippines is celebrated every June 25 through Proclamation No. 643. This is to be observed through the planting of trees and ornamental plants and other related activities.

On the other hand, Proclamation No. 396 enjoins the participation of the both the public and private sectors in the tree planting activity. (ANL/ICR-PIA 1 Ilocos Sur)