LU’s Thousand Tree Challenge Launched
By: Grace L. Libong, GPC-ENRO | Photos By: GPC-ENRO | Date: September 16, 2021
In support to the Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) #KalikasanNaman campaign, PGLU’s forefront program on fostering ecological integrity and clean and healthy environment, the Office of the Provincial Strategy (OPS) in collaboration with the Environment and Natural Resources Office (ENRO) and Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAg) launched the Thousand Tree Challenge program by conducting tree planting of native trees on September 16, 2021 at Bilagan Road, Santol, and September 20, 2021 at Kudal Park, Tagudtud, Bagulin, La Union.
The Thousand Tree Challenge aims to encourage individuals especially youth volunteers to embrace the cause and to inculcate in their young minds the importance of planting native trees. The activity is in partnership with the Philippine National Police and Youth volunteers of the concerned LGUs. Six members of the Philippine Dental Association also participated in the said activity.
Emphasized during the event is the fact that trees help clean the air, filter the water and provide habitat to over 80% of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity. But on the sad note, not all tree species can be of great help because there are foreign and/or exotic trees considered as fast growing and have the ability to germinate easily but also have detrimental effects on other plants, can alter the soil and thus degrade the ecosystem. Meanwhile, planting native forest and fruit trees is one of the easiest ways to restore and expand forest habitats, protecting watersheds and freshwater resources, securing livelihood of local communities and linking protected areas and natural habitat.
A total of 200 native flowering and fruit trees like Ylang-ylang, Duhat, Sampalok, Star Apple, and Santol were planted in Santol, La Union while 200 Ylang-ylang were also planted in Bagulin, La Union. Planting Ylang-ylang is also in support to the Provincial Ordinance No. 007-2007 “Adopting Ylang-ylang Tree as the Official Environment and Beautification Tree” of the Province of La Union.
Pre-orientation on what trees can do, why plant native trees and how to get involved in future tree planting activities was done before the activity. T-shirts and brochures were given to volunteers.
To follow is the planting of the remaining 600 native trees at Lon-Oy Head Water, Lon-oy, San Gabriel, La Union on October 7, 2021, Tapuakan River, Pugo, La Union on October 14 and Eco Mountain Trail, Agoo La Union on October 21, 2021.
