Senator Cynthia Villar on Friday, June 25, called on Filipinos to protect trees and join in greening communities in the Philippines.
The chairperson of the Senate committee on environment and natural resources issued the appeal on Arbor Day, a holiday that seeks to promote the planting of trees in communities.
In the Philippines, Arbor Day is observed on June 25 of every year.
"Arbor Day is a special occasion to remind us the importance and role of trees in environmental health and human life," Villar said in a statement.
Trees, she said, not only provide clean air, but also protect us from destructions caused by calamities.
Villar said that with the onset of the rainy season in the country, people should be reminded "of the significant role of trees to help avert massive flooding and the mangrove trees to serve as barrier against storm surges."
In her appeal, the senator reiterated that protected areas must be conserved and be defended against development initiatives.
She cited the Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park (formerly LPPCHEA), which is threatened by reclamation projects in the Manila Bay.
Villar has been opposed to the reclamation plans in Cavite, Parañaque City and in other cities in Metro Manila near the wetland park, which has a 36-hectare mangrove forest with 11 mangrove species.
She said the wetland park serves as protection of the coastal communities of Las Piñas and Parañaque from storm surges and high tide.
During the observance of Arbor Day, local government units are mandated to initiate tree-planting activities.
Under the Republic Act No. 10176 or the Arbor Day Act of 2012, able-bodied citizens of the Philippines, who are at least 12 years old, shall be required to plant one tree every year.