By PR | 11:11 PM September 19, 2024
In celebration of the 124th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary, the provincial government of Bohol, in partnership with the Bohol Provincial Environment Management Office (BPEMO) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), spearheaded a tree-growing activity in Barangay Calanggaman, Ubay, on Wednesday, September 18, 2024.
The event, part of Bohol’s greening program, was also participated in by volunteers from various Capitol offices, uniting under the Trees for Unity Campaign.
Led by BPEMO’s head forester, Restituto Piollo Jr., the activity aimed to restore the environment’s balance by planting over 2,000 sun-loving native trees. The selection included langin, kamagong, kalingag, giant bamboo, dao, bitanghol, talisay, igyo, and balinahaw—species essential for maintaining Bohol’s ecosystems and biodiversity.
This initiative is an extension of the Trees for Unity Program, one of Governor Aris Aumentado’s major environmental efforts to reforest areas affected by Typhoon Odette in 2021. The program was formally launched on September 28, 2022, when a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed with 24 partner organizations, including National Government Agencies, People’s Organizations, the Academe, Local Government Units, Civic Organizations, religious groups, and private sectors.
Volunteers undeterred by the early 3 a.m. call time eagerly made their way to Calanggaman to participate in this vital endeavor. These tree-growing activities go beyond simply planting—they represent hope for a sustainable future and a commitment to addressing the pressing challenges of climate change and deforestation.
Trees play an irreplaceable role in maintaining ecosystems. From releasing oxygen, absorbing carbon dioxide, reducing stormwater runoff, to providing habitats for wildlife, they are the foundation of a healthy environment.
Bohol’s reforestation efforts address crucial environmental issues, such as deforestation, which poses a significant threat to biodiversity and the capacity to absorb carbon. Trees also play a crucial role in the water cycle through evapotranspiration, which helps in cloud formation and rainfall. The absence of trees leads to decreased moisture in the atmosphere and reduced rainfall, worsening drought and other environmental problems.
As part of the ongoing reforestation efforts, the Ubay community is encouraged to care for the newly planted trees to ensure their growth. Local engagement is vital to restoring the forests devastated by Typhoon Odette, with reforestation providing both environmental and economic benefits.
The tree-growing activity is aligned with Governor Aumentado’s “Abante Bohol” vision, which seeks to build a greener, more resilient future for the province. As Bohol continues to recover from past calamities, these greening programs not only rehabilitate the land but also enhance the province’s standing as the Philippines’ first and only Unesco Global Geopark.
By nurturing these new forests, Bohol paves the way as a regenerative island for sustainable development, offering future generations a cleaner and greener environment to thrive in. (PIMO/ML)
