MAITUM, Sarangani (September 13, 2022) - Various government agencies, offices, and stakeholders joined forces in planting 500 bamboo and narra seedlings on the banks of Pangi River in Barangay New La Union on September 13.
This is part of the simultaneous national tree planting activity in celebration of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Romualdez-Marcos Jr.’s (PBBM) 65th birthday.
During PBBM’s first State of the Nation Address, he emphasized that environmental preservation and sustainability is one of the key focuses under his administration to make the country safe for the younger generations and to push for food self-sufficiency.
Governor Rogelio "Ruel" D. Pacquiao, Mayors Alexander Bryan Reganit of Maitum and George Falgui of Kiamba led the tree planting activity.
It was a joint initiative of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) headed by Provincial Director Engr. Samuel Camaganacan and Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (DENR-PENRO) Maria Elvira Lumayag.
According to Municipal ENRO Nannette Nacional, the tree planting activity was an excellent opportunity to show the commitment and efforts of Sarangani in helping combat the adverse effects of climate change.
Aside from being known to be the home of exciting water tubing adventure, the Pangi River is also considered one of the cleanest rivers in the Philippines. According to Nacional, it is a big challenge for the residents and the Local Government Units (LGU) to maintain the title to the Pangi River amidst the threats of small-scale mining and illegal logging.
In his address, Governor Pacquiao emphasized that saving our environment is "everybody’s commitment."
"Dili na ta kakita og ani kagwapo nga lugar kung dili ta mag hunong sa mga di maayong butang sa atong kinaiyahan," said Pacquiao.
"Kita ra gihapon ang makinabang aning atong mga maayong buhat, so we have to be responsible kay mao ra pud ning atong mga ikabilin sa atong mga anak," he added.
A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing between the Provincial LGU of Sarangani, Municipal LGUs of Kiamba and Maitum, and Barangay LGUs of New La Union and Tablao was also conducted, which symbolizes their commitment to protecting and preserving the Pangi River.
Present during the activity were men in uniform from the Philippine National Police, headed by Provincial Director Col. Nicomedes Olaivar, Philippine Army, Bureau of Fire Protection, and Philippine Coastguard.
Officials from Barangays New La Union and Tablao headed by Captain Bernie Pascua and Captain Marlo Damgase; staff and heads from PENRO; CENRO; LGUs of Maitum and Kaimba; and Siguil Hydro Power Plant also took part in the activity.
Board Member Jess Bascuña, Provincial Administrator Atty. Ryan Jay Ramos, LGU-PENRO Rolando Tuballes, and former Kiamba Mayor Danny Martinez also showed their support.
The tree planting activity is anchored on the theme "Buhayin ang Pangangalaga sa Kalikasan" which was simultaneously conducted by some LGUs nationwide. (Joshua John S. Pantonial/SARANGANI PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE)
? Jake T. Narte