DPWH marks founding anniversary through nationwide tree planting

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Central Office spearheaded over the weekend a nationwide tree planting events across 16 regions of the country as part of the agency’s 126th anniversary celebration.

Aligned with the observance of the Philippine Arbor Day which is celebrated every month of June, the DPWH Central Office tree planting activity at La Mesa Nature Reserve, Quezon City was led by DPWH senior undersecretary Emil Sadain.

“Today, we are planting hundreds of native tree seedlings here in La Mesa, and 11,000 more nationwide through our Regional Offices and District Engineering Offices, with the aim of highlighting that the trees that we will plant today symbolize growth, resilience, and the promise of a greener tomorrow for generations to come,” Sadain said.

DPWH Regional Offices conducted their own event in areas identified in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in their locality.

“We also want to stress the Department’s role in finding a delicate balance between fostering infrastructure development and protecting the environment, through the integration of sustainable planning in all our projects,” Sadain said.

As a policy, all DPWH projects require an environmental impact assessment, as well as environmental compliance certificate (ECC) or certificate of non-coverage (CNC) from the DENR prior to project commencement.

DPWH offices nationwide are also mandated to implement the Tree Replacement Program which ensures the planting of one hundred (100) seedlings/ saplings/ propagules as replacement for every tree cut within or along the RROW of all DPWH-administered infrastructure projects.

In addition, a recent policy was signed by DPWH secretary Manuel Bonoan which requires planting 1,000 seedling/trees for every flood-control project with contract amount of at least ?5 million.

Sadain was joined by DPWH undersecretaries Marichu Palafox and Anne Sharlyne Lapuz; Assistant Secretaries Mel John Verzosa and Michael Villafranca; the Directors from Services, Bureaus and Project Management Offices; and Quezon City 1st District Engineer Loida Busa.

Bonoan has earlier approved the recommendation of DPWH Social Affairs Committee headed by Palafox to include the nationwide simultaneous tree planting as part of the activities for the Department’s 126th Anniversary Celebration not only to mark a significant milestone in the agency journey but also to demonstrate enduring commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. — (FREEMAN)