By Shane F. Velasco
CITY OF SAN JOSE DEL MONTE, Bulacan (PIA) — Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Acting Secretary Jay Ruiz has called on all 110 million Filipinos to plant trees as part of their commitment to build a greener and more sustainable Bagong Pilipinas.
Leading a tree-planting activity in Barangay San Roque, City of San Jose del Monte in observance of National Arbor Day and Environment Month, Ruiz emphasized that planting trees is planting a green future.
The activity gathered employees from various PCO-attached agencies, including the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Philippine News Agency (PNA), Radio-Television Malacañang (RTVM), People’s Television (PTV-4), Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation (IBC-13), National Printing Office (NPO), and the Philippine Broadcasting Service (PBS).
Together, they planted over 200 seedlings of fruit-bearing trees on a 59-hectare plantation of coconut, banana, guyabano, dalandan, calamansi, rambutan, pineapple, and cacao.
Ruiz explained that the initiative is more than just a ceremonial effort.
“This is about ensuring there will still be clean air to breathe and enough supply of water for the next generation,” he said.
He also cited that tree planting and environmental sustainability should be integrated into broader development frameworks.
“Perhaps, landscaping should be included in implementing proper zoning and urban planning,” he noted.
Meanwhile, members of the San Roque Upland Farmers Agrarian Reform Cooperative (SRUFA), who will benefit from the planted trees, sought the help of Ruiz to push for the issuance of their certificate of land ownership award (CLOA) from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).
SRUFA President Catalino Cataniag said that their cooperative has spent around 30 years completing all the requirements under the agrarian reform program.
He stressed that the tree-planting initiative, complemented by the awarding of CLOAs, will significantly enhance agricultural productivity and improve the farmers’ lives.
In response, Ruiz reaffirmed the Marcos administration’s commitment to agrarian reform and environmental protection as key pillars of national development.
He said that achieving this will ensure food security, improved livelihoods, and a better quality of life for every Filipino. (MJSC/SFV, PIA Region 3-Bulacan)
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