Plant a Tree to be Partner for Change — DILG Chief

Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael “Mike” D. Sueno, concurrently the Vice-Chairperson for Disaster Preparedness of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said “we can be a partner for change by planting a tree.”

“Making a change can be as simple and heroic as planting a tree that slows the effects of global warming,” the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) chief said.

In his directive, Sueno urged all punong barangays to coordinate with the concerned Environment and Natural Resources Office in their province, city, or municipality in order to harmonize the conduct of tree planting activity within their respective areas of responsibility in support of Republic Act 10176, known as Arbor Day Act of 2012, and the Expanded National Greening Program (NGP) of the government.

Promulgated in 2011, RA 10176 revives the observance of Arbor Day by authorizing local government units (LGUs) to set a day for tree-planting activity each year.

Meanwhile, the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Executive Order No. 193, Series of 2015, known as the “Expanding the Coverage of the NGP” aims to harmonize all forest development activities that will encourage and enhance the development of forest plantation, with greater participation from the private sector, LGUs, and organized upland communities.

The DILG Secretary advised all sangguniang barangays to enact appropriate ordinances directing all building owners and homeowners to plant trees in their backyard or frontage of the building and houses, respectively, to contribute to the efforts to combat global warming.

“The national government, with the help of all sectors of the society, is responsible in safeguarding the environment. The government and the community must unify their efforts and jointly work towards environment protection to be able to conserve biodiversity and to prevent environmental degradation,” he said.

He enjoined all governors and mayors to supervise, monitor and extend necessary assistance to punong barangays in the conduct of tree planting activities and to institute effective and efficient means of monitoring to ensure that the planted trees will grow to maturity. (DILG/RJB/JCP/PIA-NCR)