More than 300,000 trees planted in Iloilo.
A total of 309,489 trees have been planted in the province of Iloilo for June as the provincial government implemented its province-wide tree growing project “Tanum Iloilo sa Hunyo 2022.”
Tanum Iloilo sa Hunyo 2022: Tree Growing for Food Security and Public Safety is a tree growing and forest development activity that launched the province’s focused and intensified implementation of the Sloping Agricultural Land Technology (SALT) Farming, particularly on contour farming.
It kicked off on June 25 during the celebration of the Philippine Forestry Service Anniversary and Arbor Day and was simultaneous with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ BIKE.HIKE.PLANT+2022.
It was participated by convergence partners such as the municipalities and barangays, national government agencies, non-government organizations, youth organizations, cooperatives, and the business sector, among others.
Nine municipalities were able to plant more than 10,000 seedlings. These are Batad (70,215); Barotac Viejo (24,628); San Dionisio (17,800); Ajuy (14,092); Anilao (12,992); Igbaras (12,800); Lemery (12,700); Leon (12,165); and Lambunao (10,949).
Each municipality or barangay was given 1000 seedlings – a combination of forest trees, fruit trees, and mangroves.
The convergence partners received 100 seedlings while each household was allocated five seedlings.
The fruit trees include jackfruit, star apple (Chrysophyllum cainito), camonsil (Pithecellobium dulce) atis (Annona squamosal), pomelo, coffee, cacao, tambis (Syzygium aqueum), calamansi, Indian mango, tamarind, chico, babana, santol, guava, and coconut.
Among the forest trees species are Iloilo tree, narra, ipil, toog, kamagong , and balayong.
The designated planting areas are upland areas suitable for SALT, forestland, coastal areas, and abandoned fishponds for mangrove planting, riverbanks, open public land, public plazas and eco-parks, roadside, school premises, and household backyards, among others.
The Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office (PGENRO) will conduct monitoring and evaluation of the planted seedlings within three months after the planting to determine the survival growth rate of the planted seedlings.
The provincial government targets to grow 1.5 million seedlings for the whole year.
(LHC/Capitol news)
