LANAO DEL SUR (PIA)— The Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy (MENRE) aims to distribute 200,000 tree seedlings in the province in the last quarter of 2024 to promote its tree-growing initiative.
Provincial ENRE Officer (PENREO) Asmarie Labao emphasized the urgent need for collective community action in strengthening the province’s natural resilience.
“While we have our versions of the Sierra Madre—the Piyagayungan Range and Gurain Range—to shield [Lanao del Sur areas] from the severe impacts of typhoons, we cannot rely on them entirely because they alone cannot fully protect us from extreme weather events,” said Labao.
“Our forests need to be strengthened through reforestation efforts to absorb heavy rains better and prevent landslides and floods,” he added.
Among the target areas for this tree-growing initiative are low-lying municipalities such as Butig, Lumba Bayabao, Maguing, Bubong, Kapai, Pualas, Marogong, Madalum, Madamba, and Piagapo.
Community ENRE Officer (CENREO) Asnawi Dataman said MENRE encouraged community groups, schools, local government units, and other organizations planning reforestation projects to participate in the program.
“Prospective recipients should submit a letter of intent, a description of the intended planting location, and details about the prepared tree guard setup. A Memorandum of Agreement will formalize the partnership. The MENRE will conduct site visits to ensure suitable conditions and compatibility of tree species with the soil and local environment,” said Dataman.
Interested parties may visit MENRE’s PENRE Office at Old Capitol Drive, Matampay, Marawi City, to learn more and obtain the necessary forms to participate in this initiative.
In 2023, MENRE distributed 73,000 tree seedlings, including native, commercial, and fruit-bearing varieties, as part of its ongoing commitment to environmental restoration. By the end of 2024, the MENRE-LDS PENREO aims to distribute 200,000 seedlings. As of writing, they have distributed 86,000 seedlings.
This mass distribution of tree seedlings in the province aligns with the ongoing observance of National Environmental Awareness Month in November, which aims to foster environmental education and encourage sustainable practices among Filipinos. (BIO/PIA-10 Lanao del Sur)
