In a bid to plant 2.5 million trees of various species from February 2023 to January 2024 as part of the celebration of its 25^th charter anniversary, the city government of Kidapawan launched its banner activity dubbed as Canopy ’25 on February 21, 2023 in Brgy. Ginatilan, Kidapawan City, Cotabato which was attended by the Agroforestry Research, Development and Extension Center’s (ARDEC) Technology Transfer, Promotion and Extension Unit (TTPEU) Head Vilma Flauta-Nitura and ARDEC Station 1 Head Jethrone M. Setenta in place of ARDEC Center Head Minda S. Odsey who attended an equally important event.

The event marked the commencement of the year-long activity of the city government of Kidapawan in its plan to grow and nurture 2.5 million trees of indigenous forest species, fruit-bearing trees, and bamboo not only to improve the condition of the environment and its landscape but also to instill the essence and value of shared responsibility in protecting the environment as well as the benefits from its invaluable resources.

With the assistance and support of various sectors in Kidapawan City, the city government is preparing for the propagation of quality planting materials as it believes that these sectors share the same vision and aspiration for the protection and conservation of the environment.

The city government of Kidapawan expresses its desire to forge partnership with ARDEC on this endeavor and seeks support and assistance from the Center in the provision and production of quality planting materials to be used in the project.

“I am personally hoping for your support and approval on this request and we look forward to our future partnership for the greater good of the people and the environment,” Atty. Jose Paolo M. Evangelista, City Mayor of Kidapawan, stated during the launching.

Part of the proposed partnership by the city government of Kidapawan thru its City Environment and Natural Resources Office (City ENRO), ARDEC shall provide technical assistance to the personnel of City ENRO-Kidapawan and those involved in the project on the production of quality planting materials as well as on plantation establishment and monitoring of plantations.

ARDEC also committed to provide quality seeds from ARDEC’s Southern Mindanao Forest Tree Seed Center (SMFTSC) in Tagum City to ensure that the planting materials to be produced are from good sources.

To mark the start of the year-long activity, Ms. Nitura and Mr. Setenta joined others and planted Kawayan Tinik along the riverbank of Sarayan River in Brgy. Ginatilan. Jethrone M. Setenta, ARDEC

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