SECOND District Representative and House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Governor Lilia Pineda led the recent tree planting activity in Porac's mountain village of Villa Maria in bid to grow more trees.

The event was in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Civil Service Commission (CSC) and the Provincial Government of Pampanga.

The DENR said that government employees and volunteers across the region participated in the event.

"The event, which served as a culminating activity of the region-wide observance of the 118th anniversary of Civil Service, aimed to save the historic Manila Bay and restore the remaining forestland and watersheds in the region," the DENR said.

This year’s theme, “Lingkod Bayani: Kilos para sa Kalikasan,” underscored the crucial role played by every government employee in protecting and caring for the environment as one of the significant service to the nation.

The volunteers planted dozens of young trees along designated areas. The trees are expected to grow and provide much needed forest cover and soil protection in the area.