A nationwide tree-planting activity and a kick-off ceremony of the Tree Planting Project of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) with the cooperation of the provincial government of Pampanga was held last September 13.
There were at least 1,000 forests and fruit-bearing trees planted on Mount Arayat during the tree-planting activity with the overall theme “Revive the Care of Nature.” The tree planting activity took place in Sitio Mayagas in Barangay San Juan Baño in Arayat town. The said event is in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Agriculture (DA).
Mentioned by Lianne Abegail Muñoz, program manager of DILG Pampanga, “Dito natin isinagawa ang tree-planting activity, una ay dahil kabilang ang San Juan Baño sa listahan ng identified areas ng DENR, kasama na rin dito ay dahil isa siya sa mga protected area ng Pampanga. Napili rin natin ito, dahil very conducive siya for planting, at saka para mabuhay ‘yung mga itinanim nating halaman.”
Arayat Vice Mayor Emmanuel “Bon” Alejandrino also participated in the tree-planting activity.
He mentioned that the Tree Planting Project is foreseen to make the constituent to be mindful of the significance of correct environment conservation.
Violators or any individuals who are caught violating the environmental regulations will be charged and sued, as mentioned by Roger Encarnacion, PENRO officer-in-charge.
“Una, pwede silang patawan ng parusa sa National Integrated Protected Area System Act, so makukulong sila ng almost 6 years pataas, depende sa value, sa pamumutol ‘yon. Tungkol naman sa fencing, illegal occupation naman ang magiging violation nila riyan. So, mayro’n silang illegal fencing, illegal occupation of land at illegal cutting kasi may mga kahoy rin ‘yung ginamit nila. Lahat ng ‘yan ay may mga kaakibat na kaparusahan sa ating mga existing na batas,” Encarnacion remarked.
News Source: sunstar.com.ph
