Guv thanks tree planting volunteers

RAINS did not dampen the spirit of volunteers who planted trees along the bank of Lamunan River in Passi City last Saturday as part of Governor Arthur Defensor’s Action for Regreening and Transformation (ART) program Year 2.

Around 3,000 volunteers from various public and private offices participated in the tree planting conducted in Barangays Agtambo, Sarapan and Bayan, despite the intermittent rains early morning of Saturday.

ILOILO. Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. and wife Cossette prepare to plant a narra seedling at the bank of Lamunan River in Brgy. Agtambo, Passi City on Saturday. (Contributed photo)

Prior to the activity, a program was held at the village center of Barangay Sarapan spearheaded by Passi City officials led by Vice Mayor Jovi Palmares.

Defensor thanked the participating groups for always answering his call for the regreening of watersheds and surroundings.

Around 5,000 seedlings of narra, toog, tapiyay, bakan, and jackfruit were planted in the designated areas along the riverbanks.

Iloilo Provincial Environment and Natural Office (Penro) chief Soledad Sucaldito said those types of trees are best suited to be grown along the riverbanks since it could help prevent erosion.

Defensor launched the ART program last year in a bid to plant one million trees in the province.

With the support of both the public and private sectors, around 1.3 million trees were planted with a survival rate of 80 percent as monitored by the Barangay Service Point Officers (BSPOs).

This year, Defensor targets to plant another one million trees as he called for the support of the entire community.

For the coastal communities, Defensor also embarked on a massive planting of mangroves under his Artificial Reefs for Transformation (ART) program.

Defensor reiterated the importance of planting trees in order to combat the ill effects of global warming. (PR)