The DENR-PENRO Cavite personnel took part in the celebration of love this February by giving a hug not to another person but to TREES!

 

The return of the tree hugging campaign is a nationwide call from the DENR Forest Management Bureau to raise awareness about the importance of nurturing forests by showing passionate action towards the protection and conservation of the same, as well as the benefits of tree hugging to a person’s well-being that include increase in the levels of the happy hormone, Oxytocin, in the body. Communion with trees can also reduce stress, promote calmness, lower blood pressure, and increase immunity. It also significantly improves the overall sense of peace, happiness, and well-being.

 

Most importantly, this year’s tree hugging campaign extends beyond personal benefits as exemplified by the Chipko Movement in India in 1979. Chipko, a Hindi word meaning “to hug”, reflected the campaign’s primary tactic of clinging to trees to prevent loggers from cutting them down.

 

The entire DENR-PENRO Cavite, headed by PENR Officer Januel R. Peras together with Technical Services Division Chief Reynaldo A. Belen and Management Services Division Chief Ma. Joy Grace S. Sazon participated in the tree hugging activity by featuring Anabiong (Trema orientalis), a native tree species in the Philippines, located in the ecological garden of PENRO Cavite. The said species plays a vital role in ecosystems as it provides habitat and food for various wildlife species, including birds and insects and is traditionally used for making furniture—particularly in our country, where wood is valued for its durability and attractive grain.

 

The tree hugging campaign ran from February 12-16, 2024. The DENR encourages the general public to join the movement by posting a selfie/groufie showing a creative way of hugging a tree (plus factor if featured tree is a heritage tree) and use the official hashtags #PunoNgPagmamahal #OneTreeLove #FMBTreeHuggingDay #ValentinesDay in uploading the photos. Hug a tree today! Happy tree hugging! ###