Gov Gonzaga Spearheads Nationwide Simultaneous Treeplanting Kick-Off Ceremony in DdO

On September 13, 2022, Governor Dorothy Montejo-Gonzaga and the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) spearheaded the kick-off ceremony of the recently conducted Nationwide Simultaneous Tree Planting Activity dubbed “Buhayin ang Pangangalaga ng Kalikasan” at the riverside of Purok 1, Brgy. Elizalde, in Maco, Davao de Oro.

A total of six hundred twenty-five (625) seedlings, including 425 Narra trees and 200 Molave trees, were successfully planted on the riverside area with a length of 1.2 km.

In a statement by Governor Gonzaga, she acknowledged the importance of planting more trees as the world already faces the effects of climate change, thus adjusting development and progress without afflicting the environment. “Ipasibo nato atong turismo, ang atoang mga negosyo ug imprastraktura kung unsay pwesto ug hulagway sa kinaiyahan nga nahatag sa atoa. Kinihanglan balanse gyud ang atong development and progress sa pag-atiman ug pag-amping pud sa atong kinaiyahan.” Gov Gonzaga said in her message.

She likewise expressed gratitude to all government officials, national government agencies, and civil society who contributed to the endeavor’s success. “Always in mind nga kanang kahoya , gugma na nato dili lang para sa atong kaugalingon kun dili para sa atong tanang generations to come,” she added.

Further, the activity was held on the 65th birthday of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., who prioritized programs for the environment and natural resources, as mentioned in his 2022 State of the Nation Address.

More or less 300 individuals participated intending to nurture the environment through provisions of planting more trees. According to PENRO, the riverside of Purok-1 Elizalde was the chosen site for the activity as this area will soon be developed into a protected eco-tourism park. (J. Fernandez, Photos by Jonie Cadiz)