A day for nature lovers, too, in Albay

It may also be a day for nature lovers on Valentine’s Day Friday in Albay.

Governor Joey Salceda announced a tree planting activity dubbed “Puno lang ang may Puso” (Only a Tree has a Heart) on Valentine’s Day to reaffirm the provincial government’s mission to protect nature.

At least 300 tree seedlings from different species, including hardwood like mahogany, narra and gmelina and fruit bearing ones, will be planted simultaneously at the Mayon Volcano Natural Park in Barangay Lidong, Sto. Domingo town, and in an area surrounding the Mayon Rest House in Barangay (village) Buang, Tabaco City.

“This is how the provincial government will renew its commitment to its undying love for nature and the environment,” Salceda said last week.

The governor who will lead Capitol employees in the activity and encouraged those from other public and private agencies, nongovernment and civic groups, and schools to join the program.

Led by Albay’s environment and natural resources office (Enro), the event is part of the Aquino administration’s National Greening Program (NGP), a nationwide reforestation campaign launched by President Aquino under Executive Order No. 26 in February 2011.

As of last year, 57 million seedlings had so far been planted in more than 232,000 hectares of land all over the country, according to the NGP website.

Apart from indigenous forest trees, 4.1 million fruit-bearing trees were grown by the Department of Agriculture under the program while 765,173 ornamental trees were planted and grown by local government units and community organizations.

The areas planted included mangrove and protected areas, ancestral lands, civil and military reservations, urban centers, and inactive and abandoned mine sites, the NGP said.

Albay’s campaign also seeks to educate hundreds of residents on the proper care and protection of trees and their important role in reducing the impact of climate change. Albay is a model province for climate change adaptation initiatives and disaster risk reduction programs.