Sarangani marks National Arbor Day by simultaneous tree planting

By COCOY SEXCION ALABEL, Sarangani (June 26, 2012) - Around 2,600 assorted trees were planted simultaneously in some parts of the province as Sarangani marked Philippine Arbor Day yesterday. By Presidential Proclamation 396, June 25 was declared Philippine Arbor Day. Arbor (meaning tree in Latin) Day is celebrated by planting of trees nationwide led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and supported by local governments and public and private organizations. In Alabel, according to Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer Engr. Allan Rivera, they planted 500 coffee seedlings, 750 mahogany and 80 fruit bearing trees at the Sewage Treatment Facility ecopark area in sitio Mahayahay, barangay Bagacay. It was participated in by municipal employees headed by Mayor Corazon Grafilo, Sangguniang Bayan officials headed by Vice Mayor Vic Paul Salarda, PNP-Alabel, provincial employees, Department of Education, Bureau of Fire Protection, Southern Philippines Power Corporation, Alabel charcoal traders and Bagacay Barangay Council. In Maasim, 300 assorted fruit bearing seedlings were planted around barangay Poblacion as municipal employees and stakeholders headed by Mayor Arturo Lawa took part in the tree planting activity. On the coastal barangay of Tinoto, around 20 members of Tinoto Fishermen Association planted 1,000 mangrove seedlings provided by World Vision and Alcantara Foundation (AF). Jean delos Santos, AF's project officer, said the fishermen were paid P3 for every mangrove seedling they planted and funded by Sarangani Energy Corporation as part of its "Seed the Bay, Save the Bay" environmental conservation and protection project. Delos Santos said fishermen associations from Sapu Masla and Lasang in Malapatan propagated the mangrove saplings from where World Vision purchased 10,000 mangrove seedlings to be planted at Tinoto. At the same time, 3,000 seedlings were provided by Alcantara Foundation as part of its commitment to plant 50,000 mangroves around Sarangani Bay. She added it was better to get the locals involved and given incentives for planting and protecting the mangroves to ensure the success of the project. For more news and updates, please visit the Province of Sarangani . (Cocoy Sexcion/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)