Tree planting in Maasin set Sept. 11
The Iloilo Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office will spearhead the tree-planting activity under the “Pyesta sang Kakahuyan” on September 11 at the Maasin Watershed.
Non-government organizations and national government agencies have been invited to join the activity.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. also called on the private sector and the civic groups to participate in the undertaking aimed at saving the environment.
“It will be an affair to prove to our people that we our serious in our campaign for reforestation,” Defensor said.
“This is an invitation to a sort of a picnic, something which is fulfilling since we will be planting trees to help address the problems brought about by climate change such as soil erosion, pollution and global warming,” he added.
Defensor said his administration will embark on a massive tree-planting activity especially in the watersheds.
“We want to do something and we want you to be part of an effort to protect our forests and to carry the flag of commitment for our environment,” the governor said.
According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the
forest cover at Maasin watershed, the source of water of Iloilo City and nearby towns, has increased from 6 percent in 1992 to 16 percent at present.
The increase was attributed to the massive reforestation activities initiated by the provincial government especially since 1992.
Defensor established the “Pyesta sang Kakahuyan” during his first tenure as governor.
Meanwhile, the Iloilo City Environment and Natural Resources Office led the mass mangrove planting and river clean-up last Saturday.
The mangrove planting was held along the Treñas Boulevard in Molo, while the clean-up was done along the riverside barangays facing the Iloilo River.
City Environment Officer Noel Hechanova said his office will also launch a massive information campaign along the barangays, teaching residents waste management and anti-littering and sanitation initiatives.
The Iloilo River is home to some endemic mangrove varieties.*
