The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Cordillera led the planting of close to 9,000 trees to kick off the Environment Month celebration in the region.
The almost 9,000 trees of various species were planted in 25 sites in the different provinces in the region as part of a nationwide simultaneous tree planting activity dubbed, “Aksyon para sa natatanging mundo.”
The DENR-Cordillera said 1,953 trees were planted in Abra; 555 in Apayao; 1,955 in Benguet; 1,860 in Ifugao; 1,850 in Kalinga; and 732 in Mountain Province.
Seedlings planted include a variety of Benguet pine, bamboo, narra, mahogany, anchoan, dilaw, auri, ipil-ipil, coconut, coffee, calliandra, bignay, guyabano, kamagong, dao, gmelina, Philippine ash, and alnus.
DENR employees from the regional office and the respective Provincial and Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices were joined by partners and other stakeholders from the law enforcement agencies, local government units and national government agencies, people’s organizations, academe, youth groups and from the private sector.
DENR-Cordillera Executive Director Ralph Pablo said more trees are expected to be planted soon with the easing of the Covid-19 restrictions and situation slowly going back to normal.
“It’s only been a day and we have already planted this much. We have just kicked off the Environment Month. More tree planting activities are slated this month so I am sure we are going to plant more.”
“We are looking forward to plant more with our partner stakeholders both in the public and private sector especially so that we are really slowly going back to normal. Now that Covid-19 restrictions have been relaxed, we can again call for massive tree planting activities while still observing health protocols and guidelines,” he added.
A regionwide tree planting and watershed cleanup will also be conducted this June 25 in celebration of Arbor Day. – Redjie Melvic Cawis