Army Men Share In Greening Aklan

By Venus Villanueva

Officers and men of the 47th Infantry Battalion, based in Camp Jizmundo, Libas, Banga, Aklan shared in the greening of the province of Aklan on June 29 by planting trees.
The army men planted trees along the highway in Panayakan, Tangalan, Aklan, in support of the Green Philippines program of the government, and in observance of Environment Month this June.
Oriel Tesorero, Forester III of DENR-CENRO, Kalibo, Aklan revealed, officials of the 47th IB had coordinated with his office for the availment of tree seedlings used in the tree planting activity.
According to Tesorero, at present, the DENR-Aklan has some 55,000 tree seedlings at its Jawili nursery in Tangalan, and 8,000 seedlings at its Makato nursery which seedlings are more than enough to support and sustain the Green Philippines program in Aklan.
Tesorero also said the Army Reservists Command (ARESCOM) based in Libas, Banga, had also a tree planting activity with the planting site adjacent to that of the 47 IB’s.
Another group which had recently coordinated with DENR-Aklan for tree planting materials is the Bugtong Bato Sand and Gravel Association in Ibajay, Aklan. The group will be planting trees in a 3 hectare lot also in support of the Green Philippines program, Tesorero revealed.
Last year, the DENR Kalibo, Aklan, in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways and the different local government units along the national highway from Caticlan, Malay to Cabangila, Altavas joined in the nationwide greening of the roadsides under the Green Philippines Highways Project (GPHP) in support of the Strong Republic Nautical Highway (SRNH) program of the government.
The project generated a unified support from Aklan officials, local government units, barangay residents, students and government agencies in the effort to beautify the roadsides along the national highway, the route of RORO buses of the SRNH, and help reduce air pollution. Several groups from local government units have started coordinating with the DENR for procurement of tree seedlings to replant those along the roadsides which did not survived, said Tesorero.
DENR-Aklan, according to Tesorero, is open to any government agency or groups requesting for tree seedlings for tree-planting activities. However, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) must be signed between the requesting party and the DENR.
Tesorero said, the MOA is essential so obligations of both parties will be set in place - for the DENR, to provide seedlings and technical assistance, and the organization or group, to maintain and protect the planting site. /MP