1FAB plants 1,500 mahogany seedlings in Tukuran town

• Source: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1371448248551/1fab-plants-1-500-mahogany-seedlings-in-tukuran-town
• Monday, November 23, 2015

By Gideon C. Corgue (ALT/GCC/PIA-Zamboanga del Sur)

TUKURAN, Zamboanga del Sur, Nov. 23 (PIA) – The 1st Field Artillery Battalion (1FAB), Army Artillery Regiment, Philippine Army on Saturday planted 1,500 mahogany seedlings during the tree planting activity conducted in barangay Tinotongan.

1FAB commanding officer LtCol. Hubert S. Acierto in his message said the activity was in partnership with the local government unit of Tukuran and Barangay Tinutongan which carries the theme “Kaabag sa Kalinaw ug Kalamboan ngadto sa maayong Kaugmaon.” (Partner of peace and development towards a brighter future)

Acierto said the activity was in support to the National Greening Program (NGP), a massive forest rehabilitation program of the government which seeks to grow 1.5 billion trees in 1.5 million hectares nationwide within a period of six years, from 2011 to 2016.

“With this program, we can restore our denuded forest back to its original state,”he said saying that trees are very important and valuable to our very existence.

“The trees that we have planted today will help prevent the occurrence of natural calamities such as floods, landslides, among others,” Acierto said.

On the other hand, Vice Mayor Michelle Rota said the LGU enacted and implemented ordinances that build local resilience action plans to address climate change disaster.

“We have enacted ordinances to protect our environment,” Rota said.

She encouraged everyone to participate in tree planting activity because it does not only give benefits to our environment but it also provides livelihood opportunities to residents.

“As simple as planting trees can help stop climate change,” she stressed.

Meanwhile, Acierto also thanked the active participation of the Mutual Benefits Association Incorporated, barangay officials, barangay response emergency team (BERT), and local residents for making the activity successful.