81,000 seedlings planted in Zamboanga Peninsula for Arbor Day

TUKURAN, Zamboanga Del Sur – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Region 9 (DENR-9) joined the Arbor Day celebrations on Thursday, kicking off the tree planting activities of 81,000 seedlings for Zamboanga Peninsula in this town.

The initiative sought to rally collective action in building greener and climate-resilient communities under the national theme “Luntiang Bukas.”

READ: DENR to plant, distribute 1.6M seedlings in Central Luzon for Arbor Day

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In the Zamboanga Peninsula, eight sites spanning mountains, coastal zones, and communities in Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga City, Isabela City in Basilan, and Sulu were planted with trees.

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At the Modernized Mechanized Forest Nursery (MMFN) in Barangay Baclay, Tukuran, Marie Angelique Go, DENR-9 executive director, led the planting of around 5,000 seedlings on a 1.5-hectare portion of the 6.9-hectare facility.

Species such as aquilaria, narra, bacan, tayuto, and lumbayao, among others, were planted to support reforestation and biodiversity enhancement.

Go told the Inquirer that the regional observance was joined by representatives from government agencies, law enforcement units, non-governmental organizations, and environmental advocates.

“Every seedling planted today is a promise of a greener tomorrow,” she said, stressing the importance of shared responsibility in protecting the region’s natural resources.

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She added that the seedlings—comprising native and endemic species—were strategically distributed to strengthen local ecosystems and long-term conservation programs.

Arjie Quizon, Tukuran Sangguniang Bayan member, assured that the local government would act as “guardian in protecting the environment not only in the municipality but even beyond our territorial jurisdiction.”

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In Zamboanga Sibugay, the tree-planting activity was held at the foot of Mt. Gampoy in Titay town.

Governor Dulce Ann Hofer underscored the importance of restoring forests, saying these efforts must secure a sustainable future for generations to come.

The Arbor Day observance is mandated under Republic Act No. 10176 or the Arbor Day Act of 2012, which requires nationwide tree-planting activities to rehabilitate degraded forestlands, enhance biodiversity, and promote environmental sustainability.

READ: DENR sets 44 Calabarzon tree-planting sites for Arbor Day

Go noted that the activities across the region reflect DENR’s continuing commitment to sustainable resource management and its call for public participation in protecting forests for future generations.

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Nationwide, the DENR aims to plant three million trees across 1,642 cities and municipalities in observance of the Philippine Arbor Day./coa