NGAs mark Arbor Day with tree planting

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By Leonard T. Pineda I (JCM/LTP/PIA-Iloilo)

ILOILO CITY, June 25 (PIA) --- Various national government agencies here converged to plant tree seedlings in observance of Philippine Arbor Day which is celebrated every June 25.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-6 Regional Director Jim Sampulna said that the Arbor Day is an opportunity for those in government service to plant trees.

“We should be reminded of the importance of trees in our life as we are also enjoined by the President of the country to plant at least ten trees every year for a period of six years as part of the National Greening Program (NGP),” he said.

The NGP is a massive forest rehabilitation program of the government established by virtue of Executive Order No. 26 issued on Feb. 24, 2011 by President Benigno S. Aquino III.

It seeks to grow 1.5 billion trees in 1.5 million hectares nationwide within a period of six years, from 2011 to 2016.

Meanwhile, Arbor Day in the Philippines has been institutionalized to be observed every June 25 throughout the nation by planting trees and ornamental plants and other forms of relevant activities.

The necessity to promote a healthier ecosystem for the people through the rehabilitation and re-greening of the environment was stressed in Proclamation No. 643 that amended Proclamation No. 396, s. 2003.

Proclamation No. 396 enjoined the “active participation of all government agencies, including government-owned and controlled corporations, private sector, schools, civil society groups and the citizenry in tree planting activity”.

On one hand, some 580 “golden shower” tree seedlings were planted along the Corazon Aquino Avenue here for the Arbor Day celebration spearheaded by DENR-6.