Guv thanks Pyesta sa Kakahuyan 2012 volunteers

ILOILO Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. thanked all those who participated in the tree planting activity last Saturday, September 15, as part of the Pyesta sa Kakahuyan 2012.

Thousands of government employees and members of civic groups braved the inclement weather and went to Tubungan where the ceremonial tree planting was held.

Prior to the activity, a program was held at the Tubungan covered gym where Governor Defensor expressed gratefulness to all the volunteers who always respond to his call for massive reforestation under his Action for Regreening and Transformation (ART) I program.

Launched in 2011, ART I embarked on the planting of one million trees all over the province. Remarkably, the program overshot its target for 2011 as around 1.3 million were planted with the help of various organizations.

The governor hopes to continue the program to ensure the revival of the forest cover of the province to counter the ill-effects of global warming.

Vice Governor Richard Garin, DILG provincial director Rosario Maza, Provincial Administrator Raul Banias, Cosette Defensor, Igbaras Mayor Vicente Escorpion Jr. and Tubungan Mayor Vicente Gargaritano also joined last Saturday’s activity.

Around 6,000 seedlings were planted in two barangays near the poblacion of Tubungan while other municipalities also conducted their own tree planting activity.

After the tree planting, the participants listened to various speakers on climate change and environmental protection in a forum conducted at the covered gym.

Meanwhile, Defensor again invited the stakeholders to join another component of the ART program dubbed “Artificial Reefs for Transformation” or the planting of mangroves in Sitio Punta Lacaran, Dumangas, Iloilo on Saturday, September 22. (PR)