Philippines Celebrates Arbor Day with Nationwide Planting of 90,000 Seedlings
MANILA — In a robust nationwide effort coordinated by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), over 90,000 tree seedlings were planted across 200 hectares of land during the annual Arbor Day celebration, aimed at bolstering the country’s environmental sustainability and combating global climate change.
According to Philippines News Agency, the initiative took place in 205 different sites and was part of a larger commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which are known contributors to global warming. The sectors implicated include deforestation, transportation, agriculture, the burning of fossil fuels, and industrial manufacturing. “This massive tree-planting effort represents a significant stride towards re-greening our environment and promoting a healthy ecosystem,” the DENR statement explained.
The event was led by DENR Undersecretaries Jonas Leones and Marilou Erni, alongside Nilo Tamoria, the Regional Executive Director for DENR Calabarzon. They joined over 1,500 volunteers in tree-planting ceremonies across several locations in Rizal, including Tanay, Antipolo, Baras, San Mateo, and Rodriguez. Among the seedlings planted were 6,600 native trees such as narra, apitong, and molave, as well as fruit-bearing species like guyabano.
The province of Rizal saw 13 hectares of its protected areas, including the Kaliwa River Forest Reserve, Upper Marikina River Basin, and Marikina River Watershed, newly planted with trees. These watersheds and forest reserves are critical for preventing soil erosion and floods and ensure a continuous water supply for Metro Manila and adjacent provinces.
The celebration of Philippine Arbor Day, which occurs annually on June 25, is mandated by Presidential Proclamation No. 396 of 2003 and Republic Act No. 10176 of 2012. These laws encourage the participation of all able-bodied citizens aged 12 and above in tree planting activities each year, reinforcing the national commitment to environmental stewardship.