THE Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Menre-Barmm) planted some 500 mahongany seedliongs in a simultaneous tree planting activity Thursday, June 25, in line with the observance of the Philippine Environment Month.

Barmm Executive Secretary and Menre Minister Abdulraof Macacua, who led the planting activity, said the mahogany seedlings were planted in Sitio Paninggusan in Awang village, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.

Macacua said the activity is aimed to promote and protect the environment and instill environmental consciousness among the constituents.

"In combating climate change and preserving our region's ecological integrity, we aim to conduct regular tree planting among other greening activities not just during this environment month but all throughout," Macacua said.

The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer will monitor the areas where the tree planting were held to ensure long-term sustainability of the species planted.

Macacua said that in the island provinces, 170 seedlings of Yakal, Narra, Mayapis, White Lauaan, and Robles were planted in Basilan, while 4,000 mangrove propagules were planted in Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

As per the latest data from National Mapping and Resource Information Authority, the forest cover of Barmm is 45 percent, or 299,195 hectares of the region's total land area of 1,293,552 hectares.

This year's Philippine Environment Month celebration is anchored on the theme "Protect Nature, Sustain Our Future." (SunStar Zamboanga)