ALL is set for the annual celebration of “Arbor Day na (in) Zamboanga” on Saturday, June 25.
City Hall Information Officer Belen Sheila Covarrubias said this year’s Arbor Day activity will be held in the village of Talon-Talon wherein the participants from all sectors will plant 9,500 mangrove propagules.
Covarrubias said the Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources (OCENR) has identified the areas to be planted with mangrove propagules as part of its environmental protection preservation, and conservation efforts.
The mangrove forests form part of Zamboanga City’s wetland areas, and are considered as productive ecosystems that provide a number of benefits to both the marine environment and the community, including fisheries, and timber and plant products.
According to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), mangrove forests also provide crucial coastal protection as it stabilizes the coastline, prevent erosion from waves and storms, and protect coral reefs.
The celebration of the Arbor Day na (in) Zamboanga is pursuant to the provisions of City Ordinance 281.
Arbor Day is a nationwide activity pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 396 which “enjoins the active participation of all government agencies, private sector, schools, civil society groups and citizenry in the planting activity, and declares June 25 of every year as “Philippine Arbor Day.”
Covarrubias said that 10 trees are also set to be declared as heritage icons during the Arbor Day celebration.
The OCENR has identified for recognition six century trees and four heritage trees, pursuant to Ordinance 341, otherwise known as the Century and Heritage Trees ordinance of 2008.
Century trees are trees that are 100 years old while heritage trees are those that are not yet 100 years old but are considered ecologically, historically or culturally valuable (or belonging to rare species, adjacent or near water source, spring or well and whose cutting or destruction will disrupt or destroy the water source) that can be effective symbols of taking care of the environment. (Bong Garcia)