My Summer Trip to Camiguin

Tagum plants 7,000 seedlings on Nat’l Arbor Day

CITY OF TAGUM, DAVAO DEL NORTE—At least 7,000 seedlings of different species of trees were planted in three different sites by various organizations here led by the City Government of Tagum last June 25, 2012 in this city’s observance of the Philippine Arbor Day pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 26 and President Benigno S. Aquino III’s Executive Order No. 26 mandating the National Greening Program.

Said seedlings were planted by an estimated 500 people in accretion areas in Barangay Apokon (2 sites) and Barangay Magugpo East which was participated by different sectors such as the Tagum Water District, Society of Filipino Foresters, Department of Education, Department of the Interior and Local Government, University of Southeastern Philippines, barangay officials from the different barangays in the city, the Philippine National Police, Philippine Army, Tagum National Trade School, LYR Group of Companies and Motortrade, among others.

Among the species that were planted are pili, almond, white lauan, narra, molave, duhan and rain tree, according to Forester Michael Tradio of the City Agriculture Office.

Willie L. Jordan, the Community Environment Officer of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Office-Tagum City expressed his appreciation to the City Government of Tagum led by Mayor Rey T. Uy for spearheading the massive reforestation programs along the Hijo Riverbanks which revitalizes the city’s watershed system.

“We are very pleased with how the local government utilized its resources for the sustainability of this noble program,” Jordan stressed, referring to the local government’s reforestation efforts which, Mayor Uy believed, should be intensified along with the huge development this city is experiencing.

The city grows its own seedlings in its city nurseries which would ensure the sustainability of the program without spending a lot of money in the acquisition of tree seedlings.

The city also partnered with DENR in the maintenance of the 5 hectare-hedge garden in Barangay Apokon where a line of closely spaced shrubs and tree species were planted which would later become the source of seedlings via clipping.

Mayor Uy, in his previous remarks, has also been vocal that the city’s greening efforts goes beyond photo opportunities moments or for the sake of documentation but the city government takes it seriously to ensure that the planted trees will really survive.

“We don’t only plant trees but we also see to it that we manage and protect,” said the local chief executive in his previous remarks.

Said efforts secured the city a spot as a finalist in the prestigious Galing Pook Awards last year for its “Accretion Reforestation, Risk Reduction and Inter-Cropping Farming System” program awarded by President Aquino in Malacañang.

The Arbor Day, which was celebrated throughout the country on June 25, was conceptualized to develop greater awareness on the importance of the role of trees in environmental health and human life. Louie Lapat of CIO Tagum

PHOTO RELEASE

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FOR MOTHER NATURE. Various organizations in the City of Tagum converged in an early morning tree planting activity in Barangay Magugpo East in celebration of the National Arbor Day last June 25, 2012 led by the City Government of Tagum. At least 7,000 seedlings of different species of trees were planted during that day in three different sites in the city. Photo by Monet Federiso of CIO Tagum

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SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. Mrs. Alma L. Uy, who is also the chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Tagum Water District, participate in the 2012 National Arbor Day last June 25, 2012 in the Accretion Area of Barangay Magugpo East, which is one of the three sites planted with trees during the event. Assisting the city’s first lady are City DILG Director Eliza P. Mendoza and Executive Assistant III to the City Mayor Delia B. dela Cruz. Photo by Monet Federiso of CIO Tagum

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HEDGE GARDEN. Employees of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Office plant seedlings in the Hedge Garden Site in Barangay Apokon, Tagum City last June 25, 2012 as part of the celebration of the National Arbor Day. Photo by Leo Timogan of CIO Tagum