BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya (September 15)—More than 2,000 volunteers in Region 2 (Cagayan Valley) planted 7,000 bamboo propagules and indigenous trees as part of the government’s nationwide bamboo- and tree-growing activity, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources(DENR).
This DENR activity in the Cagayan Valley region — which comprises the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, and Batanes — was held on Tuesday, in collaboration with the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
DENR Region 2 executive director Gwendolyn Bambalan said the activity with the theme “Buhayin ang Pangangalaga sa Kalikasan” was conducted to help reduce the ill effects of climate change through massive reforestation activities.
She said the agency is also promoting “tree growing” to encourage the participants to plant and ensure the survival of the seedlings.
“Our mandate is to mobilize the citizenry and we are happy to see many volunteers today as we address the pressing issues of climate change,” Bambalan said.
Aside from the bamboo propagules, planted species included tree species such as narra, molave, tuai, talisay, bitaog, kupang, malasantol, kamagong, dao, ipil and arius.
Joining the tree-growing activity were the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE).
Region 2 directors of DA, DTI, DoLE, and the Environment Management Bureau also joined the tree-growing activity, as well as officials and representatives from other national government agencies, local government units, villages, and Sangguniang Kabataan officials, civil society organizations, and the academe.
According to Bambalan, the planting activity in the region was simultaneously conducted in Uyugan town in Batanes; Quirino town in Isabela; Solana town in Cagayan; Cabarroguis town in Quirino; and Bayombong town in Nueva Vizcaya.
Nueva Vizcaya Gov. Carlos Padilla and Mayor Tony Bagasao joined the event in Bayombong while Batanes Gov. Marilou Cayco joined in Uyugan.