BAGUIO CITY - Aside from planting fruit-bearing trees and other tree species to help rehabilitate the region's denuded mountains, the Cordillera office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is mandating all individuals and groups involved in massive tree planting activities region wide to include in their activities a three-year maintenance of the planted trees.
The DENR Office in Cordillera said this will allow the trees to survive and grow for the benefit of the future generation of Filipinos.
In recognition of the importance of watersheds and forests in providing abundant water supply not only for the region but also for the lowlands as well as maintaining the cool and romantic weather condition, Clarence Baguilat, DENR-CAR regional director, said individuals and groups involved in tree planting activities in celebration of World Environment Month must also maintain the trees that they planted so that they will be able to grow and survive their sensitive stages so that future generations will surely benefit from them.
At the same time, the DENR-CAR official ordered the immediate replacement of the thousands of young trees that were destroyed in a series of forest fires that damaged over 2,000 hectares of forests in the different parts of the region.
During the celebration of Arbor Day on June 25, 2010, the agency, in cooperation with hundreds of civic organizations and volunteers region wide, will be planting a total of over 3.5 million assorted tree species in critical watersheds in Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Kalinga, Ifugao, Mountain Province and Baguio City which is part of the uphill climbed of the Regional Development Council (RDC) in the Cordillera to effectively and efficiently rehabilitate and properly manage the region's deteriorating watersheds.
Baguilat pointed out it is important for the concerned individuals and groups to frequently visit the planted trees in order to properly maintain them by removing the weeds that impede their growth.
