ILOILO City Mayor-elect Raisa Treñas joined Mayor Jerry Treñas, partner agencies, and hundreds of Ilonggo volunteers in a citywide tree planting activity held Wednesday, June 5, 2025, in celebration of World Environment Day.
“We joined in celebrating World Environment Day by planting more seedlings in different areas of the city. This is one of the programs that I will continue to focus on, because I see its great potential for a cleaner and better life for our beloved Ilonggos,” said Mayor-elect Treñas. “This planet is not ours to use, it's ours to protect. Trees give us clean air, shade and life, and it also gives us a future. But this tree planting won't just end today, it is just the beginning.”
The activity, organized in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Western Visayas (DENR 6), Department of Public Works and Highways in Western Visayas (DPWH 6), and the Environmental Management Bureau in Western Visayas (EMB 6), was held simultaneously at six key locations: Sunset Boulevard, Diversion Road, Plaza Libertad, Plaza Jaro, General Luna, and JM Basa Street in Iloilo City.
Mayor-elect Treñas expressed gratitude to DENR 6 forester Raul Lorilla, DPWH 6 Engineer Sanny Boy Oropel, and EMB 6 lawyer Ramar Niel Pascua for delivering the opening remarks and for their unwavering commitment to environmental protection.
Also present were Councilor-elect Mandrie Malabor; Angelo David Berba, chief operating officer of Metro Pacific Iloilo Water; Marisa Segovia, co-chairperson of the Infrastructure Committee of the Regional Development Council in Western Visayas; Janis Sy, chief of the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office; and Engineer Neil Ravena from the General Services Office.
The event drew strong support from various sectors, including local government offices, private institutions, and environmental advocates. Volunteers planted native and ornamental seedlings across multiple city landscapes to enhance urban greenery and improve air quality.
“Magbinuligay kita para sa padayon nga pag-uswag (Let’s work together for continuous progress),” she said.
Mayor-elect Treñas said the activity highlighted not only the importance of environmental sustainability but also the united spirit of Ilonggos to care for their surroundings. She called on residents to continue working together for the city’s progress. (Leo Solinap)