ILOILO CITY — Beneath the wide canopy of towering Acacia, sturdy Lawa-an, and stately Teak trees, personnel of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR-PENRO) Iloilo paused—not for inspection, but for embrace.

Led by OIC-PENR Officer Salvador Manglinong Jr., staff members wrapped their arms around tree trunks at the Maasin Watershed Forest Reserve, a simple yet powerful gesture meant to reaffirm their commitment to protecting Iloilo’s remaining forests.

For the participants, the act of hugging the trees went beyond symbolism. It served as a reminder that these silent giants are more than just part of the landscape—they are lifelines.

The Maasin Watershed, often described as the province’s ecological backbone, supplies water to thousands of households and farms. Its trees act as natural shields, preventing soil erosion, regulating water flow, and safeguarding communities from flooding. They also serve as homes for wildlife and as natural filters that keep the air breathable.

According to DENR-PENRO Iloilo, the activity represented both gratitude and responsibility—gratitude for the benefits the forest continues to provide, and responsibility to ensure that future generations will still find shade, shelter, and security beneath the same trees.

As climate challenges grow more pressing, the quiet act of embracing a tree becomes a deeper pledge: to care for the watershed, to defend the forest, and to remember that human well-being is rooted in nature.

At Maasin, the message was clear—protecting the forest begins with recognizing its value, one tree at a time.