DAVAO CITY (PIA) -- A recent tree-planting activity in Malita, Davao Occidental was aimed at rebuilding back biodiversity in the ancestral domain of the Manobo and Tagakaulo indigenous cultural communities at Sitio Bagsak in Barangay Lacaron.

More than 400 seedlings of the narra tree were successfully planted, May 23, 2023, at a designated area by environmentalists and advocates from different government agencies in said municipality.

The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) and National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) in Davao Occidental have brought the planters together in a joint tree-planting activity, in celebration of the International Day for Biological Diversity.

Bannering the theme “From Agreement to Action: Build back Biodiversity," the activity was aimed at maintaining and upholding the stability of a healthy environment, especially in identified ancestral domain areas. 

As part of the responsibilities of the Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) stipulated in Section 9 of Republic Act No. 8371, a duly certified ancestral domain shall maintain ecological balance, restore denuded areas, and comply with such laws for effective implementation.

The provincial officials from NICP and PENRO have encouraged the residents to plant more trees to protect the flora and fauna, watershed areas, and other reserves in the province.

The other agencies who participated were the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), the Davao Occidental Police Provincial Office, the Philippine Army's 73rd Infantry Battalion, NCIP-Davao Occidental, and the barangay local government unit of Lacaron. (FNBD/PIA Davao Occidental)