More than a thousand indigenous tree seedlings and bamboo, planted in UMRBPL

More than a thousand kawayang kawayang tinik, narra, banaba, kaimito, and langka were planted along stream banks in Brgy Calawis, Antipolo, Rizal inside the Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape in celebration of the 158th Philippine Forestry Service and Arbor Day last June 25, 2021.

 

The site was selected as part of the flood mitigation measures under the Executive Order No. 120 Task Force Build Back Better, and the Intensified Watershed Management of the PA where more than 800 ha of riverbanks in UMRBPL is targeted to be planted with bamboo for easement recovery. Planting of bamboo helps in riverbank stabilization, flood mitigation, and prevents soil erosion.

 

DENR CALABARZON Regional Executive Director Nilo B. Tamoria recognized the important role of People's Organizations in reforestation and protection of watersheds. "Ang pangangalaga sa tubig kanlungan ay hindi lamang obligasyon ng pamahalaan kundi obligasyon ng mga mamamayan lalo na ang mga taong nakikinabang sa ating watershed. Sana po huwag nating hayaang lumala ang sitwasyon ng ating kagubatan. Ang pagtatanim po ay simula lamang, ang hamon po ay ang pagpapayabong ng ating kagubatan sa tulong ng bawat sektor ng ating komunidad."

 

RED Tamoria also emphasized the ridge to reef approach and reminded the community on the impacts of environmental activities from the forest down to the bodies of water. "Ang ginagawa po natin sa kagubatan ay may implikasyon sa ating karagatan", he said.

 

Meanwhile, Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau Director Henry Adornado, who also graced the occasion, shared the Bureau's support on reforestation and rehabilitation strategies as the research arm of DENR. "Sana hindi po ito nagtatapos dito bagamat maging umpisa ng patuloy nating pagmamahal sa kalikasan. Sana maging successful ang ating rehabilitation efforts sa pamamagitan ng ating pagtutulungan mula sa Provincial, Munisipyo, at Barangay", he said.

 

More than 140 individuals participated in the tree planting activity from DENR CALABARZON, together with the following organizations: PENRO Rizal, ERDB, LMB, MGB4A, Provincial Government of Rizal, LGU Antipolo, Barangay Calawis, various People's Organizations, and the private sector. It was conducted simultaneously in the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, and Quezon. ###