VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur (PIA) – Ilocos Sur joined the national Arbor Day celebration on June 25 by planting over 3,000 trees across more than five hectares of land in barangays Cacadiran (Cabugao) and Daligan (Santa Cruz).
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Ilocos Sur spearheaded the initiative, focusing on narra seedlings and bamboo propagules.
This effort aligns with the nationwide tree planting program led by the DENR, aiming to combat global warming caused by deforestation and pollution.
DENR employees were joined by a strong force of partners, including provincial and local government officials, representatives from government agencies, non-government organizations, youth groups, and private sector members.
The DENR emphasized the importance of environmental preservation through this activity.
“lyong theme natin na ‘Our Environment, Our Future’, ibig sabihin nito kung hindi natin pangangalagaan ang ating kapaligiran, ano mangyayari sa ating kinabukasan? Wala tayong magiging future, kaya dapat ngayon pa lang alagaan na natin ito. Let us help preserve our environment para magkaroon din ng kinabukasan ang ating mga anak at kanilang mga anak,” PENR Officer Rosemarie Jornacion said in a recent PIA Ilocos Sur’s Ammuentayo radio program.
[Our theme, ‘Our Environment, Our Future,’ underscores this point. If we don’t take care of our surroundings, what will become of tomorrow? We won’t have a future. We must start protecting our environment now, for the sake of our children and their children.]
Demonstrating their commitment beyond tree planting, DENR Ilocos Sur, along with various government, private, and youth partners, organized river clean-up activities.
One took place on June 27 at the Sucoc River in Narvacan, with another planned for June 28 at the Chico River in Suyo.
The Philippines observes National Arbor Day every June 25.
Presidential Proclamation No. 396 of 2003 mandates DENR to provide technical assistance for Arbor Day celebrations.
Additionally, the Arbor Day Act of 2012 encourages citizen participation by requiring Filipinos aged 12 and above to plant one tree annually. (AMB/JMCQ, PIA Ilocos Sur)
