Our environment needs humans’ tender loving care and we can do so by engaging in environmental activities that also improve our quality of living such as tree planting.

Trees have lots of benefits and tree growing is an essential way countries across the globe are doing to avert the harsh impacts of climate change. We have seen the damage it wrought upon us in the form of super typhoons, monsoon rains, landslides, and erratic weather conditions.

This month of September, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) together with Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 6 will be having a joint tree planting activity in connection to the Linggo ng Kalikasanin observance of the 120^thCSC Anniversary with the tentative date set on September 25, 2020.

The CSC plans to limit the participation of its personnel and other participants to observe health protocols to prevent contracting the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

DENR Region 6will also conduct a bamboo planting activity in celebration of the World Bamboo Day. The venue will be in Calajunan, Mandurriaoon September 18, 2020. This too, will be done with limited participants. Such is the “new normal.”

Iloilo City, a highly urbanized city,acknowledges the importance and benefits of trees for a livable and sustainable community.

In the sides of the streets, parks and backyards, trees are grown as it brings an aesthetic and peaceful environment that also brings natural elements and wildlife habitat into urban settings.  Italso deflects sunlight in the cities thereby reducing the heat island effect.

Trees highly contribute to a clean environment as they improve air quality through the process of photosynthesis – producing oxygen and taking in carbon dioxide. It also filters air intercepting unhealthy particles by removing dusts and absorbing pollutants like carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide and letting the rain wash them after.

It also helps in climate amelioration by mitigating the effects of the sun, rain and wind as the leaves absorb and filter the sun’s radiant energy, acting as a shield from the falling rain and preserve warmth by screening off the harsh wind.

The roots of trees hold the soil in place as it fights erosion that causes landslide. It also absorbs and store rainwater that helps reduce runoff and sediment deposit after the storms. It also helps recharge ground water supply, prevents transport of chemicals into streams as well asprevents flooding. Its fruits provide food while its fallen leaves also make good compostand improve the quality of soil.

Being with nature improves cognitive function, enhances memory and discipline. A walk in the park full of trees can also relieve stress, empowering one’s state of mind.

 “There is no doubt that engaging in tree planting activities strengthens the communities. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, participants to our tree planting activities were reduced to observe social distancing and health protocols. But it is important to still take good care of our shelter by continuing to plant new seedlings that will help us attain a sustainable our future,” said regional executive director Francisco E. Milla, Jr.

Enhanced Biodiversity Conservation and Enhanced National Greening Program (E-NGP) are among the top ten DENR priority programs and projects of Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu.