View source for Iloilo celebrates 'Fiesta sa Kakahuyan' with 6k trees planted

*Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1009734
*Monday, September 18, 2017
:By Cindy Ferrer (PNA)

ILOILO CITY -- About 6,000 different species of tree seedlings were planted early Saturday as Iloilo province celebrates its annual “Fiesta sa Kakahuyan” festival.

“Fiesta sa Kakahuyan” is a yearly festival where Ilonggos promote the importance of forest preservation through a massive tree-planting activity. The province is currently celebrating its 18th year anniversary.

The tree planting was held Saturday at the river bank in Barangay Bongol and Balanac in Janiuay town.

Leading the activity are Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. and officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 6.

Around 1,000 employees of the provincial capitol, volunteers from other government agencies, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), non-government organizations, business sectors and other stakeholders, joined the activity.

Defensor stressed a united effort to help protect the environment. Earlier, the governor said the activity also continuously supported the Action for Re-greening and Transformation for Climate Change Adaptation (ART for CCA) program of the provincial government.

The province aims to plant 1.5 million trees annually, including fruit trees, in the different areas in the province, under the ART for CCA program.

Defensor added the province is now also gearing to shift to the massive planting of cacao and coffee species.

The province has allotted PHP10-million supplemental budget for this planned program.