“A million trees for the world we’re gonna make.”
More than 500 employees from various departments of the provincial government, national agencies, and the private sector gathered in the Sanitary Landfill at Barangay Tagbobolo in the City of Mati on June 22, 2023 to mark the 14th Anniversary of the Million Trees Movement, which concurs in celebration of 56th founding anniversary of the Province of Davao Oriental.
The Million Trees Movement set in motion in 2009 and mandated under Resolution No. 73, series of 2009 through Executive Order No. 6 of 2009, is scheduled every 22nd day of June as a National Greening Flagship Program of Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon, aiming to uphold environmental conservation in the province in an effort to combat deforestation and sustain benefits to its residents.
Brigadier General Leopoldo Imbang Jr. (RET) who is tasked by Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon with enforcing environmental laws in the province expressed his gratitude to everyone who voluntarily attended the program. He further highlighted that this is a simultaneous provincial-wide event rather than solely focused on one location with the other ten municipalities also conducting their respective tree-planting activities in consonance with the provincial-led event.
In honoring the momentous environmental achievement, Provincial Administrator Maria Gracia Tiago urged the event attendees to keep up the noble feat for the environment, which will benefit not only the present but also the next generations.
“Padayon lang kanunay, and know that this initiative is not only for the present, but as well as for the future of our province, for the future of our country, and for the future of our world,” Tiago emphasized in her welcome address.
With around 1,500 trees projected to rise in the Sanitary Landfill Area in the next three years, individuals are constantly reminded that the movement’s goal extends beyond tree planting and takes into account the duty of tree growing, thus, molding the people of Davao Oriental’s sense of responsibility while also being conducive to biodiversity conservation. By Venice Adlawan
