JUST this Sept. 24, 2022 some 1,200 seedlings of forest and fruit-bearing trees – jackfruit, coffee, cacao, narra, ipil, toog, kamagong, and Iloilo tree, among others – were planted in Sitio Nagpana, Barangay Lipata, Barotac Viejo, Iloilo by over 5,000 volunteers. The activity was in line with the 23rd Piyesta sa Kakahuyan of the provincial government of Iloilo.
The necessity to promote a healthier ecosystem through the rehabilitation and re-greening of the environment is stressed in Proclamation No. 643 that amended Proclamation No. 396, s. 2003. Proclamation No. 396 enjoins the “active participation of all government agencies, including government-owned and controlled corporations, private sector, schools, civil society groups and the citizenry in tree planting activity.”
We need trees not just for production but also as a way to mitigate climate change, to offset the carbon we emit on a daily basis. According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, a single tree can sequester 0.56 metric tons of carbon dioxide in its lifetime, and around 10 trees are needed to capture the emissions of just one car.
Trees are also vital in disaster risk reduction. For instance, mangroves are the best buffer against storm surges. We saw this during the onslaught of super typhoon “Yolanda” in 2013.
We renew the call to continue awareness programs on tree planting, including educating the public on the proper and most effective way of doing it. Because here’s the thing: tree planting is not just about planting the seedlings; we should ensure that they survive.
We should also prevent cutting especially in protected areas. Yes, we all need to look at tree planting as serious business.
Citizens are encouraged to not just plant trees but also care for them. Schools should teach the importance of trees and integrate tree-planting activities into the curriculum to promote environmental consciousness among the youth.
The need to plant the right species in the area where it can grow and thrive must also be emphasized.
Let us plant trees, save the planet, and save ourselves.
