TACLOBAN CITY – As the country celebrates Philippine Environment Month this June, over 2,000 volunteers in Eastern Visayas (Region 8) planted around 6,220 seedlings of various trees in a mass tree-planting activity in different planting sites throughout the region last Wednesday, June 8.
Six Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Offices (PENROs), 11 Community and Environment and Natural Resources Offices (CENROs), and the regional office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) spearheaded the activity.
It aims to highlight efforts toward the protection and sustainable use of the country’s natural resources through activities that call for collective and transformative action for the protection and restoration of the planet.
Marissa Cebuano, regional coordinator of the National Greening Program (NGP) of the DENR Region 8, said it was also participated in by other government agencies, local government units, uniformed personnel, the academe, youth, and organizations from the private sector, religious sector, and other volunteers.
“The importance of trees for our environment and that of our healthy existence, if not, our survival itself, can never be emphasized enough. And so, it is imperative that all should have the passion and the patience to plant trees and ensure their healthy growth,” she said.
DENR-Region 8 Executive Director Arturo Fadriquela said that the planting of trees is a concrete response to the call to action that is the core message of this year’s Philippine Environment Month which has the theme “Aksyon Para Sa Natatanging Mundo.”
"By enjoining the citizens to plant and grow trees, the Department is hoping that a greater appreciation of their importance to a balanced ecosystem and a healthy environment will be imbued on each and everyone."