Greening program on in Calabarzon

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna—The highly urbanized region of Calabarzon steps up its role in the government’s National Greening Program by planting this year twice the number of trees it planted in 2011.

The target for 2012 for Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) is to reforest 179 sites, covering 10,823 hectares of forest and timberland, with 5.6 million tree seedlings, said Environment Regional Director Reynulfo Juan.

Last year’s greening drive covered 99.13 percent of the 4,735-ha target area in the region, said Juan.

Reforestation in Calabarzon is crucial given the region’s vast economic zones and its growing population, said Juan. Maricar Cinco, Inquirer Southern Luzon