TARLAC CITY (PIA) -- Armor Division, in collaboration with Tarlac Heritage Foundation, launched the Hardin ng Lunas at Camp O'Donnell in Capas, Tarlac.
 
It is an eight-hectare agri-reforestation project that has a variety of vegetables, fruit-bearing and non-fruit-bearing trees, livestock dispersal, tilapia ponds, and a playground for family activities.
 
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. underscored the importance of the engagement of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in sustainable projects for the environment.
 
“This is just one example of the strategic initiatives between the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of National Defense, and our civilian partners in national development. We have to sustainably and responsibly not only protect, but use wisely what we have for building the foundations of a stable, prosperous, strong, resilient, and steadfast Republic of the Philippines,” he said.
 
For her part, DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga expressed her gratitude and support for the project.
 
“We have, as you may know, 15 billion hectares of forestland in our country. Only seven billion of which are presently covered with forest cover, and here’s where initiatives such as this would be able to help us,” Loyzaga shared.
 
DENR targets to reach one million hectares of land all over the country for its reforestation project.
 
In line with this, Armor Division Commander Major General Facundo Palafox IV introduced the Gift of a Tree App. “Gift of a Tree App is an application developed to allow stakeholders to contribute to our mission to create a green and sustainable environment by choosing and donating a tree that we will be planting here under their name,” Palafox said.
 
He added that the application is currently undergoing security features development and will soon be launched to the public.
 
Meanwhile, Philippine Army Commanding General Lieutenant General Roy Galido thanked Tarlac Heritage Foundation for its continued support in the campaign of the service branch.
 
Hardin ng Lunas will soon be adapted in various military camps to help soldiers and their families acquire an alternative livelihood and address food security.
 
The agri-reforestation project will convert and develop idle lands inside the camps as demonstration farms. 
 
It will be an avenue for military personnel to engage in small-scale organic farming that will come in handy during their conduct of community support programs. (CLJD/GLSB-PIA 3)