CABARROGUIS, Quirino (PIA) - - As part of the celebration of the Philippine Environment Month, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR-PENRO), together with its two Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices (CENRO), led the simultaneous planting and growing activities in Diffun and Nagtipunan towns yesterday.

Diffun CENR Officer Nelson B. Acob said the planting and growing activity is a nationwide endeavor with the primary objective of the activity is to help stabilize and prevent soil erosion in the riverbanks.

Acob further said that some 850 bamboo propagules and 150 Narra seedlings were planted along the Ganano River at barangays Ricarte Norte and Ricarte Sur in Diffun with an area of 3.5 hectares.

Meanwhile, the DENR-PENRO reported that 600 bamboo propagules were also planted along the Upper Cagayan Valley at barangays Dipintin and Santo Niño, Maddela with an area of 2.94 hectares.

“If we can grow these bamboo propagules, we can utilize them as alternative materials for furniture making and construction as well as foods and medicines,” Acob said.

Acob also said that they started planting bamboo last year along Ganano River at Barangyas Cajel and Aurora West and they intend to plant regularly until they can complete the planting and growing of bamboo in the riverbanks as mandated by Former DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu and their present Secretary, Sec. Jim O. Sampulna.

Acob urged the barangay residents and other stakeholders to take part in nurturing the bamboo propagules that were planted to ensure 101% growth rate.

The activity was participated by representatives from DENR regional office, Philippine Army, Philippine National Police, Provincial Local Government Unit, Quirino Provincial Public Safety Company, Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Offices, Environment Management Bureau-Provincial Environment Management Unit, Barangay Local Government Units of Ricarte Norte, Ricarte Sur, Dipintin High School, Environment and Natural Resources Youth Ambassadors, Supreme Student Council Society of the Philippines Quirino Chapter and Common Wealth Bank, Inc. (MDCT/TCB/PIA Quirino)