BANGUED, Abra (PIA) –The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) through its provincial office here observed the National Tree Hugging Day at Casamata Hill Protected Area on Tuesday.
Celebrated in time with the Valentine’s Day, the event is is a passionate action towards the protection and conservation of forests in the country.
More than 100 employees of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) and Community Resources Office of Bangued and Lagangilang joined in the activity.
PENRO Abra Information Officer Designate Ianne April Bello conducted an information-education campaign where she emphasized the need for people to relax in the presence of nature when they are worn out. This is one of the essences of the activity.
“Everytime na pagod tayo sa opisina, lumabas lang tayo and we enjoy to breathe nature and appreciate the beauty of our forests,” she said.
The activity is also part of the awareness raising efforts on the importance of nurturing forests and the benefits of tree hugging to a person’s well-being.
Bello shared that they chose to conduct the Tree Hugging Campaign in Casamata Hill National Park as it is one of the protected areas under the watch of DENR in Abra.
“We all know that Casamata Hill is the only breathing space that we have here in Bangued. This is where the Abrenians usually stay during free time, so we had to conduct the activity here,” she said.
The Casamata Hill Management Plan is being overseen by the Protected Area Management Board composed of different national government agencies and local government units. (JDP/CAGT– PIA CAR, Abra)
