The Department of Public Works and Highways – Eastern Samar District Engineering Office joined the City Environmental and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in commemorating the 7th Annual Arbor Day Celebration through a tree planting activity in Brgy. Can-abong Watershed, Brgy. Borongan City on July 30, 2021.
“The Local Arbor Day Committee chose to hold the tree planting activity in Cabong Watershed to sustain the cleanliness of the water source through reforestation, which is a very big factor,” CENRO – Environmental Especialist Carlo Emmanuel S. Pombo said.
A total of 500 mahogany seedlings were planted by the different government agencies who participated in the activity.
District Engineer Ma. Margarita C. Junia said in an interview that reforestation activity is a payback time to mother nature since it is unavoidable that sometimes in the construction of roads, trees were cut and removed.
“So, every year, we make sure to actively participate in the Annual Arbor Day Celebration of the City Environmental and Natural Resources Office to give back to the environment and to any activities that promotes conservation of nature,” said DE Junia.
Environmental Specialist Carlo Emmanuel S. Pombo said in an interview that the Arbor Day Celebration is being commemorated annually to show the local government’s concern to the environment.
“We know that trees are very important nowadays especially that we are facing climate change. So, now let’s plant trees. Let us help the City of Borongan combat climate change. The numbers of planted trees don’t matter, what matters is that we are doing something to help the future generation,” Pombo shared.
Environmental Specialist Pombo also mentioned that the event will be a morning and afternoon tree planting activity to manage the number of participants. CENRO only allowed two participants for each government agency to avoid overcrowding.
CENRO also encouraged all the participants to follow the minimum health protocol, such as wearing of facemask and maintaining recommended physical distancing while the activity was being held.
The observance of Arbor Day is in compliance with Department Memorandum Circular No. 41 series of 2012 and pursuant to the Republic Act No. 10176 “An Act Reviving the Observance of Arbor Day by authorizing the Local Government the Responsibilities for Celebrating the Day for Tree Planting as an Annual Event”. (IRMA BALLETE,PIO STAFF)
