Around 10,000 Benguet Pine seedlings were planted during the conduct of the Philippine Arbor Day in barangays Lualhati and Happy Hallow in Baguio City and barangays Ambuklao and Poblacion in Bokod, Benguet as part of the Environment Month last June with the theme “Sama-samang pagkilos, sama-samang paghilom: Ikaw, ako, tayo ang kalikasan.”
Employees of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Cordillera, Penro Benguet, and Cenro Baguio with the collaboration of Professional Regulation Commission employees participated during the simultaneous tree planting activity held in various tree plantation areas.
Baguio CENR Officer Leandro de Jesus said the activity aimed to strengthen the preservation of the environment and urged everyone to plant as many seedlings suitable in their place during this rainy season.
De Jesus added surrounding trees are functional to human beings in many ways and it has a big role when it comes to carbon sequestration.
Through the department’s continued support, Protected Area Superintendent of Upper Agno River Basin Resource Reserve (UARBRR) Sandra Bias initiated the planting and the “Nature Pledge” for the attendees at Barangay Ambuklao for ecosystem restoration initiatives for fire-damaged NGP plantations within the UARBRR and the declaration of “Tayo ang kalikasan.”
DENR-CAR also held the “Community Pine Tree” aimed to distribute 200 Benguet pine and coffee seedlings to selected barangays in Baguio City. It also welcomed interested individuals who wish to plant Benguet pine seedlings in their respective areas, backyards, or lots.
Cenro Baguio also celebrated the Philippine Eagle Week last June 4 to 10 through posting of tarpaulins in strategic locations to be seen by the public for awareness and educational purposes.
The activity is celebrated through Proclamation 79, s. 1998 to promote concerted efforts for ensuring the Philippine Eagle’s protection and perpetuation.
This year’s theme is “The Philippine Eagle and Indigenous Peoples: Protecting our forests, protecting our future” highlighting the IPs’ contribution to protecting and conserving forests and Philippine Eagles in their area.
The month of June was proclaimed as Philippine Environment Month by virtue of Proclamation 237 endorsed in 1988 by then President Corazon Aquino to raise ecological awareness among Filipinos. The festival agrees with the World Environment Day celebrated on June 5. – Press release
April 19, 2024
