Massive tree-planting activities in the Calabarzon region marked the country’s celebration of the Philippine Environment Month and Arbor Day in June amid Covid-19 community quarantines that remain in effect in various parts of Luzon.
For the celebration of Arbor Day last June 25, 2020, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Calabarzon region said the Batangas Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Offices (Penro) and Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices (Cenro) of Calaca, Catanauan, Calauag, Real, and Sta. Cruz conducted tree-planting activities in their respective areas.
In partnership with the Society of Filipino Foresters Inc. (SFFI), the DENR Calabarzon Regional Office, Penro Batangas, Cenro offices of Calaca and Lipa, planted a total of 500 propagules of Avicennia marina, Rhizophora apiculata, stylosa, and mucronata within the National Greening Program (NGP) site. At the same time, the activity paved the way for the removal of trash in the area. A total of six sacks of trash were collected during the said activity.
Cenro Catanauan planted a total of 300 Terminali edulis, commonly called Kalumpit, along the riverbank of Catanauan River. Kalumpit is an indigenous tree species that is good for riverbank stabilization.
Cenro Sta. Cruz provided a total of 30 seedlings of fruit-bearing trees to their personnel, to be planted in their backyard.
On the other hand, Cenro Real established an Arboretum located in Barangay Maragondon, in Real, Quezon. 1,500 seedlings of Narra, Dangula, and Kamagong were planted on the 275-hectare NGP Program site.
In addition, Penro Cavite launched an Environmental Photo Contest to promote environmental protection and conservation.
The grand prize winners will receive a cash prize of P7,000, while the second and third place winners will receive P5,000 and P3,000 respectively.
The regional office has also issued a Certificate of Appreciation to local government units with centennial trees.
LGUs that included Tanay in Rizal, Lipa City, Tanauan City and Calatagan in Batangas province, and Burdeos and General Nakar in Quezon were awarded certificates for their continued efforts for the protection and conservation of the region’s forest cover with centennial trees.
The mayors acknowledged the recognition with a pre-recorded video, which may be viewed on the DENR Calabarzon Facebook page.
The DENR continues to operate with a skeletal work force amid the community quarantines to prevent the spread of the dreaded Covid-19.