1 M people to join nationwide tree-planting

Oriental Mindoro — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is aiming for the books.

At least a million people will participate in synchronized tree-planting on some 3,000 kilometers of principal roads across the country next week.

During the pre-launch event in Calapan City yesterday, Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Angelo Reyes announced that various public and private sector groups, including the academe and non-government organizations (NGOs), warmly welcomed the "Green Philippines Highway" project, with more than a million people signing up to participate in the Aug. 25 event.

"This DENR project is well-received and many people and NGOs pledged partnership with the government. They not only committed support, they also committed to sustain the project," Reyes said.

The Green Philippines Highway is a massive tree-planting program of the DENR that will traverse the country’s three major thoroughfares — the 2,176.4-kilometer Pan-Philippine Highway (Laoag City to Davao City), the 439.2-kilometer Manila North Road (Laoag City to Manila), and the 823.9-kilometer West Nautical Highway (Batangas City to Zamboanga Sibugay).

"Around half-a-million seedlings and saplings will be used in this synchronized tree-planting at around 10 a.m. on Aug. 25," Reyes said.

Under the project, both sides of the three major highways will be planted with various species of plants and trees, including ornamental plants such as gumamela, sampaguita, yellow bells, adelfa, and golden shower as well as caballero and fire trees. "We will use plants or trees that are suitable to each area so that taking care of them will not be difficult," Reyes said.

For Oriental Mindoro, which is part of the Western Nautical Highway, 96,436 seedlings and saplings will be planted on 128 kilometers of roads traversing Calapan City and the municipalities of Naujan, Victoria, Socorro, Pinamalayan, Gloria, Bansud, Bongabong, and Roxas.

According to Undersecretary for Field Operations Teresita Samson-Castillo, the DENR will provide the seedlings and saplings to be used in the project.

"We will only provide the seedlings and saplings. Other expenditures will be the responsibility of the participating stakeholders," she said.

The DENR’s partner-organizations will be called "adoptors" as they would serve as stewards of the trees planted in their respective areas.

Castillo estimated that a seedling or sapling cost about P5 to P20. Using this base rate, the DENR project would cost the government from P2.5 million to P10 million.

"We want to promote the image of every Filipino as a planter of trees," Reyes said. "At the national level, we aim to promote a way of life where citizens not only plant but also nurture."

"Our goal is to make communities that link these highways become custodians of their environment," he added.