Calauag, QUEZON — In celebration of the 157th year of Philippine Forestry Service and Philippine Arbor Day on the 22nd and 25th of the month respectively, the CENRO Calauag traveled the waters to conduct a tree planting activity in the mangrove area of Brgy. Sto. Angel, Calauag, Quezon on June 25.

By the virtue of Proclamation No. 643, signed in 2004, amending the Proclamation No. 396 which declares every 25th of June as “Philippine Arbor Day”, this year conveys the theme, "Forest, Health and Wellness: The Role of Forestry and Forest Management in Promoting and Sustaining Health and Wellness".

Despite the present national health emergency brought by the CoViD-19 pandemic, the CENRO Calauag managed to design a tree planting activity in the commemoration of this two of the most significant environmental events of the DENR – with maintained on-going health protocols and safety measures such as wearing of face masks and observing physical/social distancing.

The activity was simultaneously conducted with Community Education and Public Awareness (CEPA) Campaign, Coastal Clean-up, and removal of underwater debris as part of the “SCUBAsurero” program of the Office, conducted by the personnel from PENRO Quezon and CENRO Calauag.

A total of 295 propagules of various mangrove species, such as: Bakauan Babae (Rhizophora mucronata), Bakauan Lalaki (Rhizophora apiculata) and Bakauan Bato (Rhizophora stylosa) were planted in an open inland mangrove area by 16 participants from Barangay LGU & Sangguniang Kabataan and CENRO Calauag personnel. ###