DENR, stakeholders plant 1,200 tree seedlings in Aurora

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), government agencies, local government units (LGUs), partner institutions, and community stakeholders planted more than 1,200 indigenous tree seedlings at a protected area in Aurora as part of their support for the reforestation efforts in celebration of the 126th anniversary of the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

DENR Dingalan Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) head Jimmy Aberin reported that the tree-planting activity was held within the Dibalo-Pingit-Zabali-Malayat Watershed Forest Reserve, where participants planted indigenous species such as narra (𝘗𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘱𝘶𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘶𝘴), supa (𝘚𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘳𝘢 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘢), and molave (𝘝𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘹 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘧𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘢).

"For this initiative of the CSC, we provided the seedlings and technical assistance, including site assessment, species selection, and proper planting techniques to help ensure the healthy establishment and long-term survival of the trees. We also designated the two-hectare area within the Dibalo-Pingit-Zabali-Malayat Watershed Forest Reserve as a permanent planting site for the commission for five years," Aberin said.

He added that the activity is also part of the Luntiang Pook Bayan initiative, which aims to provide a continuing venue for government employees and other stakeholders to contribute to forest restoration and environmental protection.

Meanwhile, DENR Regional Executive Director Ralph Pablo emphasized that government employees’ responsibility extends beyond public service to include environmental stewardship.

"Apart from being public servants, we should also consider ourselves environmental servants, bearing in mind that the forest is life-supporting, and everything is connected. When we protect our forests, we protect the ecosystem that sustains our communities," Pablo said.

The activity gathered personnel from various government agencies, including the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), Department of Agrarian Reform, PAG-IBIG Fund, Philippine Red Cross, Department of Trade and Industry, Philippine Coast Guard, and Department of Public Works and Highways.

Representatives from the LGUs of San Luis, Maria Aurora, Baler, Dipaculao, and Casiguran also participated, along with members of the academe from the Aurora State College of Technology (ASCOT) and the University of the Philippines Health and Sciences.