DANGLAS, Abra (PIA) -- Over 3,000 various tree seedlings were planted in one of the protected areas of this town during the nationwide simultaneous bamboo and tree planting activity.

 
The Mt. Sidir in Barangay Nagaparan, Danglas was proposed by the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) as a critical habitat due to sightings of the Philippine Eagle and Macaque monkeys by some locals and foresters.

 
During the nationwide tree planting with the theme “Buhayin ang Pangangalaga sa Kalikasan,” the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Abra led various environment stakeholders in planting various tree species in the three-hectare area.

 
A total of 1,500 narra trees, 1,500 pine trees, 200 fruit bearing trees and 50 bamboo stalks were planted in the area by the more than 100 participants from local government units and national government agencies.

 
“This initiative will increase our forest cover and mitigate iyong problema natin sa climate change because this is our share in protecting the wildlife and its environment here in Gumaya-Sidir,” PENR Officer Marcelo Bumidang said.  He shared by that by simply participating in a tree planting activity is a huge contribution to the preservation of the environment.

Bumidang said the trees planted will be visited monthly for maintenance, and that the PENRO will allocate more than P250, 000 for the assessment of the area next year.

Chris Albolote, head of the Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office, also thanked the participants for supporting the activity.

 
“We all know that our land cover is gradually decreasing but it’s not too late for solutions and there is no other way to conserve it except planting trees, so we are thankful for your participation,” Albolote said. (JDP/CAGT – PIA CAR, Abra)