For women’s month DENR-8 female workers plant 2T tree seedlings

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines – At least 2,000 talisay tree seedlings have been planted at a two-hectare beach forest area in Barangay Balud of Basey town in Samar by female employees of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Region 8 on Monday.

DENR-8 Regional Director Leonardo Sibbaluca told reporters that the tree planting activity of the female employees of the agency was done in observance of the Women’s Month.

Sibbaluca said it was participated in by more than a hundred women employees of DENR-8 and the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office from Sta. Rita.

They were joined by soldiers of the 87th and 52nd Infantry Battalions of the Philippine Army, personnel of the local government unit of Basey, barangay officials and residents and representatives from the Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program and Robinson’s Corporation.

Sibbaluca said tree planting has been essential in the DENR-8’s target to reforest the beach areas, covering about a 186 hectares in the towns of Basey and Marabut this year, under the Leyte Gulf Mangrove and Beach Forest Rehabilitation Project.

“Rehabilitating the mangrove and beach forest areas is necessary considering its crucial role in protecting the coastline, preventing coastal erosion and protecting lives and properties of the community by serving as buffer for tidal storms,” Sibbaluca added.