Governor Arthur Defensor, Sr. and wife Cossette cut the ribbon to officially launch the provincial government’s one million trees program dubbed as Action for Regreening and Transformation (ART) in Brgy. Balabago, Alimodian, Iloilo. Assisting the governor are Alimodian Mayor Juanito Alipao and Third District Board Member Licurgo Tirador.
Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor, Sr. encouraged the participation of the entire community in the provincial government’s one million trees program dubbed as Action for Regreening and Transformation (ART) which was officially launched yesterday (May 20) in Alimodian, Iloilo.
The tree planting activity will be composed of two phases, the first phase will be on Arbor Day, June 25, while the second phase will be during the Pyesta sang Kakahuyan on September 17, 2011.
From left: Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Soledad Sucaldito, PENRO-Iloilo chief Raul Lorilla, Board Member Licurgo Tirador, Governor Arthur Defensor and wife Cossette, Alimodian Mayor Juanito Alipao, DILG provincial director Rosario Masa and Badiangan Mayor Suzette Mamon pose in front of the program banner.
The one million trees will be planted by the so-called “foot soldiers” composed of provincial government employees, elementary pupils, high school students, college students, teachers, policemen, municipal employees, Barangay Health Workers, Barangay Service Point Officers, Day Care Workers, barangay officials, barangay tanods and municipal officials.
The seedlings will come from the barangay itself to be raised by the students and the entire community. Possible species to be planted are: Balayong or Golden Shower, Alibangbang, Ilang-ilang, Ipil-ipil, Mangium, Balete, Madre de Cacao, Camachili or any fruit trees.
Target areas are roadsides, riverbanks, upland areas and other open or available spaces.
“Our goal of planting one million trees is possible so long as everybody participates and believes in this program,” Defensor said.
He added that planting trees is important since it will help mitigate the disastrous effects of global warming.
Provincial Administrator Raul Banias said they will tap the help of the Barangay Service Point Officers (BSPOs) for the monitoring of planted trees to ensure that it will grow and be protected.
From left: DILG provincial director Rosario Masa, Badiangan Mayor Suzette Mamon, provincial first lady Cossette Defensor, Governor Arthur Defensor, Alimodian Mayor Juanito Alipao and PENRO-Iloilo chief Raul Lorilla hold tree seedlings during the launching of the one million trees program dubbed as Action for Regreening and Transformation (ART) in Alimodian, Iloilo.
“Environmental protection should be a habit, it should be a culture, and a policy of the provincial government,” Banias stressed.
Banias added, the ART project is different from the provincial government’s regular reforestation program which targets the watershed areas, since in this program tree planting will be done in any place.
The launching program which was attended by all stakeholders was also highlighted by the signing of memorandum of agreement for the one million trees program and the five satellite nurseries in the province’s five districts.
It can be recalled that Defensor ordered the establishment of a tree nursery in every district intended for the reforestation of the watersheds. (ECGarcia/ Capitol News)
BALITA HALIN SA KAPITOLYO 
This is so nice. I hope it succeeds.