DINALUNGAN, Aurora — More than 1,200 bamboo culms were planted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and local stakeholders in the Talaytay Protected Landscape (TPL) as part of efforts to restore forest areas and strengthen environmental conservation in the province.
The joint bamboo planting activity was held at a National Greening Program (NGP) site in Barangay Dibaraybay, Dinalungan, led by the DENR community office in Casiguran, Aurora, in celebration of Philippine Bamboo Month.
DENR community head Ariel Mendoza said the activity aims to promote bamboo propagation as a practical measure for forest restoration, carbon absorption and soil erosion control.
“We, at the DENR, promote bamboo propagation through our NGP because of the ability of bamboo to restore degraded lands, absorb a large amount of carbon dioxide, and prevent soil erosion,” Mendoza said.
He noted that bamboo planting is particularly relevant in areas of Central Luzon where communities continue to face the effects of soil erosion.
The activity drew more than 85 representatives from the Barangay Dibaraybay local government, Talaytay Protected Landscape Occupants Association Inc., Bantay Kalikasan ng Dinalungan Aurora Inc., and the Municipal Environment Office of Dinalungan.
The DENR said the participation of local communities and organizations underscores the importance of stakeholder cooperation in protecting and rehabilitating protected areas.
The bamboo planting forms part of the DENR’s continuing efforts to support forest restoration, climate change mitigation and erosion control through the National Greening Program.
The agency continues to promote bamboo propagation in suitable areas because of the plant’s potential to help rehabilitate degraded lands while providing additional environmental benefits to communities and watersheds.