DAVAO CITY –— The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) joined President Ferdinand “Bong-bong” Marcos, Jr. and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the kick-off ceremony of the National Simultaneous Bamboo and Tree Planting Activity held Tuesday at Pintong Bocaue in San Mateo, Rizal in time for the 65th birthday celebration of the President.
DILG Secretary Benjamin C. Abalos, Jr. said that the nationwide greening activity covered a total of 1,174.9 hectares of land in several planting sites across 102 LGUs around the country.
Of this number, three are in the National Capital Region; four each in Regions 1, 8, and 9; five each in Regions 2, 11, and 12; six each in Regions 6, 10, and Cordillera Administrative Region; seven in MIMAROPA; nine each in Regions 3, 7 and CALABARZON; and ten each in Regions 5 and Caraga.
“Historic o makasaysayan ang araw na ito sapagkat we may be separated by physical distance, and yet we stand in unity as one in the Philippines to protect not only our country but our planet as well. Sa araw na ito, sabay-sabay nating gaganapin ang ating mandatong protektahan at isulong ang kalikasan,” Abalos said.
In his message, the President reiterated his vision for environmental preservation as one of the essential priorities to ensure that the plans for economic recovery would succeed.
“The challenges we hurdled in recent years highlighted the fact that we have one Earth. We must spare no effort to ensure that it survives in the years to come. Itong ating ginagawa nitong araw na ito ay isa sa mga hakbang na maaari nating gawin upang tulungan at patibayin ang ating kalikasan. Alagaan ang ating kalikasan para ay tayo naman ay mayroon ipamana sa mga anak natin sa mga susunod sa atin na mga Pilipino,” Marcos said.
Themed ‘Buhayin ang Pangangalaga sa Kalikasan,’ the simultaneous nationwide tree planting event was also attended by DENR Secretary Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, Rizal Governor Nina Ricci Ynares, former Rizal Governor Casimiro ‘Ito’ Ynares, Jr, and Rizal 3rd District Representative Jose Arturo Jr. ‘Jojo’ S. Garcia.
Also in attendance were representatives from the DILG Central and CALABARZON regional office, personnel from the local government, as well as from other partner agencies.
During the activity, Abalos personally greeted PBBM and encouraged local government units (LGUs) to stand united in the efforts of protecting the environment.
“In truth, this tree planting activity is not just for us, it is for generations that we will leave behind. We will be leaving the world better than we found it and for that, I am exceedingly proud to be a part of this effort,” he said.
He commended the provincial governors, city/municipal mayors, punong barangays, and local Sanggunians, Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Chairperson, and SK officials who joined the simultaneous tree planting event in their respective areas of jurisdictions.
“This nationwide simultaneous tree-planting event in these challenging times reminds us of our responsibility to uphold our constitutional right to environmental protection and to care for a balanced and healthy ecology. Ang layunin ng proyektong ito ay hindi magtanim lamang ng mga puno, kundi pagpatuloy ang nasimulan natin ngayong araw at pangalagaan ang kalikasan para sa ating kinabukasan,” he said.
Since the Barangay Officials are responsible for maintaining the planting sites, the DILG Chief urged them to ensure long-term viability by placing a sign with the name of the Punong Barangay, planting site location, and the number of seedlings planted.
Likewise, he directed barangay officials to establish a schedule for quarterly monitoring inspections; assign barangay officials and workers to clean the planting area every quarter; and, determine the materials, equipment, transportation requirements, and funds needed for that purpose.
“Everyone’s right to a balanced ecology comes with a role in the care and protection of Mother Earth. This nationwide simultaneous tree-planting event is one way for us to help address environmental concerns and make this country a cleaner, greener place to live, work, and do business,” Abalos said.
Earlier, the DILG issued Memorandum Circular No. 2022-111 calling on LGUs to take an active stance in caring for trees as an effective strategy for reducing the effects of climate change in our country, especially since the Philippines is a tropical country and is expected to be among those hardest hit by climate change
