Town launches regional Green Philippines project (Sun.Star, Monday, August 27, 2007)

Town launches regional Green Philippines project

By Ian Ocampo Flora

ARAYAT -- In line with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's Green Philippines program, the Department of Environment and National Resources (DENR) launched the regional counterpart of the program focusing on national shrines and watersheds.

According to Environment Municipal Officer Ricky Hernandez, the Green Philippines program is a thematic approach on foresting Central Luzon's national shrines and critical watersheds, mangrove and coastal areas, agro-foresting of fruit bearing tress as well as urban greening.

"The program on the reforestation of national shrines and critical watersheds will start this August while coastal and mangrove areas would start in November," Hernandez said.

The program for the greening of national shrines and critical watershed areas was launched at the Arayat National Park. The program featured a ceremonial tree planting, attended by local government officials from Magalang and Arayat, media, non-government organizations and environmental groups. The real project would commence with the participation of the local community in the actual tree planting activities.

Hernandez added that they are encouraging the schools and organizations to participate in the greening program.

The Green Philippines program aims to plant 20 million trees across the country.

Hernandez said 1.25 million of these trees would be produced in each region. On Saturday, about 1,000 seedling trees would be planted on the slope of Mt. Arayat by students from Asian Institute of Computer Studies in Dau, Mabalacat.

"We are still looking for concerned groups and organizations that would help us in this activity to help the environment and to realize the importance of planting trees," he said.

The Arayat Municipal Environment Office is calling on civic and non-government organizations to participate in various thematic activities of the Green Philippines program.