Posted on

With this year’s theme: “Forest, Health and Wellness: Role of Forestry and Forest Management in Promoting and Sustaining Health and Wellness,” the City Government of Malaybalay through the City Environment and Natural Resources Offices (City ENRO) in partnership with the Malaybalay City Government Water Supply System joined the entire nation in celebrating the Philippine Arbor Day with a “Tree Growing Activity” on June 25, 2020 at the water source, Barangay Kibalabag, Malaybalay City. 

About 47 participants, mostly coming from the City ENRO planted a total of 400 assorted seedlings. Previously planted trees were also maintained by the participants so as to ensure higher survival.

The water source and its surrounding areas became the regular venue for the Arbor Day Celebration of the City Government of Malaybalay because of its significant role in supplying the bulk of the water demand of the key areas of the city. Approximately 66% of the total water supply of the Malaybalay City Water District comes from the Kibalabag watershed.

In addition, the City Government also strived to make the annual celebration a citywide activity. The City ENRO directed all barangays to participate in the nationwide tree planting and to initiate other related activities. The purpose of which is to develop greater awareness on the importance of the role of trees in environmental health and human life among local residents of the barangays. Tree seedlings were provided by the City Government to those barangays who requested assistance for their barangay-led tree planting.

The Philippine Arbor Day Celebration was institutionalized by virtue of Proclamation No. 648 of 2004 that declares every 25th day of June as the “Philippine Arbor Day”. The Proclamation was strengthened with the signing into law of RA 101761 (An Act Reviving the Observance of Arbor Day by Authorizing the Local Government Units the Responsibilities for Celebrating the Day for Tree Planting as an Annual Event).  

Report by: Kris Guerrero B. Tabernero / Mary Grace V. Valdez, City ENRO-NADA Coordinators