CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)--Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-10 Regional Director Albert E. Gutib spearheaded the planting and growing of more than 88 trees in the entire northern Mindanao region in celebration of the department's 88th Founding Anniversary, December 8. 

The tree planting-tree growing activity is in collaboration with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Gutib said 88 DOLE-10 regional office employees planted 88 Narra tree seedlings, December 8 at Malasag Reforestation Project in Cagayan de Oro City. The tree-growing initiative aims to preserve the 828 hectare proclaimed watershed area for ecological conservation and DOLE-10's environmental core social governance in connection with 'Green our DOLE Program.' 

DENR Forester II Buen Labininay and Nursery Assistant Alaw Jemenia collaborated in the said activity.

The regional office activity is also in partnership with the DOLE-10 Employees Association for Reform, Efficiency, Services, and Teamwork (DEAREST).

Likewise, Gutib with his senior staff and DOLE-10 Camiguin Provincial Field Office (PFO) team headed by OIC-Chief Arlyn Z. Bael as the host, planted 88 indigenous seedlings of Bagongnangka, Tuway, Kalingag and Maksa, December 1 at the two-hectare DENR-Camiguin Reforestation Project under the National Greening Program at Mt. Itum, Barangaya Baylao, Mambajao, Camiguin.  

“My gratitude to DENR-Camiguin partner Ms. Merlyn Dumalahay for the continued support of the tree growing activity of DOLE-10 to highlight the 88th founding anniversary of the department wherein trees symbolize and save lives.”

On December 8, Bael said her team attended a sponsored early morning Eucharistic mass at Agoho Mambajao Church. Afterwhich, the team proceeded to the tree growing activity and planted Ipil-Ipil, Talisay and Baok-Baok seedlings at the shoreline of Baylao, Mambajao, again in coordination with DENR-Camiguin representative Dumalahay and DENR Forester Artemio Maglungsod.

Bael also turned over the P83,000 “Enhancement of Mini Bandong” livelihood project to the members of Barangay Mayana Fisherman Association and P231,540 worth of “Deep Sea Fishing” project to Sagay Fisherfolks TUNA Hunters Association, Sagay, Camiguin through Accredited Co-Partner (ACP) KASAMMA Organization.

Similarly, individual project Artisinal Fishing Livelihood Project worth P15,000 was granted to Teotimo Dadang. The said projects were all funded under the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP) as contribution to the government’s agenda on poverty reduction.

Moreover, in Misamis Occidental province, after attending the early morning Eucharistic mass at San Lorenzo Ruiz Parish Church in Ozamiz City, DOLE-10 Mis. Occ. PFO staff planted at least 500 mangrove propagules, December 8 at Sinakbang Beach in the Municipality of Sinacaban for the mangrove planting activity, which were provided by the Municipal Agriculture’s Office (MAO) thru Merlie Dominguez.

MAO identified Sinakbang Beach as one of the priority areas for mangrove-planting being in the lowest-lying barangay in Sinacaban.

DOLE-10 Misamis Occidental PFO Chief Ebba B. Acosta said, “We are happy to have contributed to the vital ecosystem conservation through minimizing water pollution, preventing soil erosion, providing water catchment areas that can reduce flooding and sustain fisheries production. Mangroves also act as defense and buffer against strong waves and storm surges”.

The activity was made possible with the support of the Deputized Fish Wardens (DFW) for the site preparation, hauling and hole digging for planting.

Also during the December 8 anniversary celebration, DOLE-10 Lanao del Norte PFO OIC-Chief Lawyer Safrali Cabili said he and his staff planted 88 Durian and Falcata seedlings at Bulahog, Rogongon, Iligan. The same is in coordination with the DENR- Iligan CENRO and the 55th Infantry Batallion of the Philippine Army.

Also in full support of the same activity, the DOLE-10 Bukidnon PFO planted 88 Narra, Molave, Bakan, Bitaog, and Anuling seedlings, December 7 at the hilltops of Barangay Natid-asan, Malaybalay City.

The PFO collaborated with Kalasan People’s Center for Environmental Concerns, Inc. (KPCECI), and DEAREST.

DOLE-10 Bukidnon PFO Chief Raul L. Valmores said KPCECI was a DILEEP recipient worth P946,000 of financial grant on CY 2018 for their Bukidnon Community-Based Integrated Abaca Agro-Forestry project. At present, wide varieties of trees are available in their nursery, of which some have been donated to DOLE-10 for the tree planting activities.

Through the GODP, the DOLE proactively upholds green and eco-friendly practices in its own workplace and among its own workforce for better delivery of programs and services to its stakeholders. As a groundbreaker of this nature-friendly project, the DOLE targets to serve as a model agency for other public offices to implement policies and programs that promote cleanliness, safety, and sustainable environment at the workplace.

The celebration is anchored on the theme, “DOLE @ 88: Tuloy-tuloy na PagTUPAD sa Serbisyong Tapat!” (DOLE-10/PIA-10)