BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO
ISABELA (June 11)—Marking the celebration of Philippine Environment Month, around 2,500 volunteers in Region 2 (Cagayan Valley) planted some 13,266 propagules of bamboo on June 8, 2022.
According to Executive Director Gwendolyn Bambalan of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 2 office, the propagules that were planted in 40 planting sites totaling 54 hectares (ha) included bayog, kawayan tinik, kawayan kiling, machiku and golden bamboo.
The nationwide celebration of Philippine Environment Month in June has the theme “Aksyon Para sa Natatanging Mundo” and was joined by the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Coast Guard, local government units (LGUs), Sangguniang Kabataan members, academic institutions, environment ambassadors and other nongovernmental organizations.
Led by the regional and field offices, together with the Environmental Management Bureau and Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the DENR in Region 2, the planting activity along the Cagayan River, lakes and creeks is in support of the Cagayan River Restoration Project under the Build Back Better initiative of the government.
Bambalan said the planting activity aims to stabilize the riverbanks, provide livelihood opportunities in the community and boost the ecotourism program among the LGUs.
She said indigenous tree species such as bitaog, molave, talisay, aluyi and narra were also planted in support of the National Greening Program of the Environment department.
Bambalan also urged participants in the activity in the region to grow and ensure the survival of planted trees.