Around 3,000 seedlings were planted through a joint effort of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Office of the Vice President, strengthening reforestation and environmental protection initiatives.The activity supports the goal of restoring the Sierra Madre while promoting sustained community action for a greener and more resilient future. (DENR Central Luzon)
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — Approximately 3,000 native and fruit-bearing seedlings were planted in Aurora Province in celebration of Earth Day, reinforcing ongoing reforestation and environmental protection efforts in the province.
In a statement on Sunday, April 26, 2026, the activity, conducted at a 1.5-hectare National Greening Program site, was a joint initiative of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Office of the Vice President (OVP), and various government agencies and community stakeholders.
Officials said the tree-growing effort supports broader environmental initiatives, including the OVP’s target of planting one million trees along the Sierra Madre, aimed at strengthening climate resilience and biodiversity conservation.
Jimmy Aberin, Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer of Dingalan, emphasized that tree planting must be accompanied by sustained care to ensure long-term impact.
“This initiative reminds us of our shared responsibility to ensure the survival and long-term growth of the seedlings through proper care, monitoring, and maintenance,” Aberin said, noting that planting is only the first step toward meaningful environmental outcomes.
Meanwhile, DENR Regional Executive Director Ralph Pablo underscored the importance of continuous community involvement in environmental initiatives beyond annual celebrations.
“Every tree we grow is a step toward a more resilient and sustainable future. Let us go beyond symbolic acts and commit to sustained action. Our forests protect us from natural hazards, and in the same way, we must protect and restore them,” Pablo said.
The activity also gathered representatives from the Provincial Government of Aurora, the local government unit of Maria Aurora, barangay officials of Barangay San Juan, as well as personnel from the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Department of Trade and Industry, the Sierra Madre Eagle Club, and other non-government organizations.
Authorities said the initiative highlights the importance of collective action in addressing environmental challenges and sustaining greening efforts across the province. (Jason de Asis)