DENR-Region 6 (Western Visayas) Director Livino Duran said the bike, hike, plant activity kicked off the regional celebration of the 159th anniversary of the Philippine Forestry Service.
Around 1,000 bikers and other volunteers gathered at the Maasin Watershed for the triple activity that coincided with the launching of “Tanum Iloilo sa Hunyo 2022,” a reforestation program of Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. backed by national government agencies (NGAs), local government units (LGUs), non-government organizations (NGOs), people’s organizations, socio-civic organizations, the private sector, and the academe.
The planting site at the Maasin Watershed signifies the need to continue the efforts of rehabilitating the once degraded watershed that is vital in Iloilo.
Duran had earlier said that with the province’s growing population, the Maasin Watershed may not be able to sustain its capacity to provide sufficient water for the people and efforts must be sustained.