For. Conrado B. Marquez (left photo) and For. Joan S. Gilbero (right photo) together with the 67th Infantry Batallion representative during the tree planting activity.

March 21 is declared by the UN General Assembly as the International Day of Forests.

This year’s theme, “Forest and Health” emphasizes the important role of the Forest in health by purifying the water, cleaning the air, capturing carbon to fight climate change, providing food and life medicines, and improving well-being.

In line with this celebration, the Forest and Wetland Research Development and Extension Center (FWRDEC) of the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) celebrated the event by organizing various activities such as hanging of streamer, Zumba (sayaw para sa kalikasan) and simultaneous tree planting with FWRDEC- Malaybalay City in Bukidnon.

Through these, FWRDEC was able to maintain camaraderie with its partner agencies and simply contribute to the conservation of the remaining forests in the country.

“Forests are vital in absorbing carbon and mitigating climate change”, these are words emphasized by For. Conrado B. Marquez, ERDB OIC Assistant Director as he encouraged everyone to be aggressive in restoring the forests.

On the other hand, For. Joan S. Gilbero, FWRDEC OIC- Head expressed her gratitude towards the participants and invited everyone to participate more proactively in activities such as this, contributing to the forest restoration.

Representatives from the 67th Infantry Battalion (left photo) and the Philippine National Police- Tagbina, Surigao del Sur during the Zumba Dance (“Sayaw para sa Kalikasan”)

 

Distribution of certificates, participants from CENRO-Bislig (left photo) and from the Philippine Army 67th Infantry Battalion (right photo)

A total of 266 indigenous seedlings were planted simultaneously at Bislig Experimental Forest and within the vicinity of FWRDEC Malaybalay City namely: White lauan (Shorea contorta), Bitanghol (Calophyllum blancoi), Bitaug (Calophyllum inophyllum) and Batino (Alstonia macrophylla) and Lapnisan (Aquilaria cumingiana).

Moreover, a trivial quiz was facilitated in order to test the participant’s level of knowledge and awareness related to the event followed by the distribution of certificates to partner agencies and institutions for their efforts and valuable contribution in making the event successful.

A total 61 participants, 41 males and 15 females joined the activity. These were the partners from DENR-CENRO Bislig and City ENRO, PNP Bislig and Tagbina, Philippine Army of 67th Infantry Batallion, North Eastern Mindanao State University (NEMSU), BLGU Maharlika and San Roque and lastly, the Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers (IIEE). For. Flora Mie M. Bela-ong, FWRDEC

Published:

  • dateMarch 24, 2023
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