Climate Change Commission (CCC) Deputy Executive Director Romell Antonio O. Cuenca together with the CCC staff during the Arbor Day tree planting and growing activity at the La Mesa Watershed Reservation

QUEZON CITY, 25 June 2023 – The Climate Change Commission (CCC) joins the nationwide simultaneous tree planting and growing activity in La Mesa Watershed Park, as part of the Carbon Neutral Program (CNP) Convergence initiative, in celebration of the Philippine Arbor Day 2023.

Together with CNP Convergence partners, Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Society of Filipino Foresters, Inc. (SFFI), and the Million Trees Foundation, Inc., 900 molave and narra saplings were planted within La Mesa Watershed Park. A 1.5 km portion of the roadside was also planted with Palawan Cherry saplings.

“Our activity today instills a sense of accountability and purpose in us all. As we continue to build on this partnership with PRC and other stakeholders, let's endeavor to plant more trees and work hand in hand so that we may be rightly called guardians of the Earth, nurturing a carbon-neutral and sustainable future,” CCC Deputy Executive Director (DED) Romell Antonio O. Cuenca said.
Through the CNP Convergence initiative, the nationwide forestation activity is seen to become more sustainable and large-scale, as more government agencies and stakeholders from national, regional, and local levels are being engaged.

"[M]aking sure that we have a sustainable environment is our responsibility to the country and the planet. Let’s build a legacy, sustain our environment for future generations,” PRC Commissioner Cueto said.

This year, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) were also welcomed as new partners under CNP, in the view that proper water management systems and IPs’ involvement in environmental protection and preservation play important elements in ecosystem enhancement and restoration efforts.

The CNP Convergence initiative facilitates scientific forestation activities to contribute to carbon sequestration, promotes nature-based solutions to address the climate crisis, and leads the advancement of carbon neutrality among Filipino citizens towards low carbon, climate-resilient and sustainable future.

“[B]ilang isang manggugubat, nakikita ko na lalakas pa itong ating programa. This is the first time na nagsama-sama ang professionals para sa kalikasan,” SFFI President Roberto Oliva added.

“The CCC looks forward to further strengthening convergence between and among partners and stakeholders towards carbon neutral, climate-resilient Philippines. With our collective and sustained work on both mitigation and adaptation, we ensure the protection of our peoples’ lives, livelihoods and future,” Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje said.

Philippine Arbor Day is observed throughout the nation every 25th of June, as declared in Proclamation 643 in 2004. Filipinos are encouraged to plant trees and ornamental plants and engage in other similar activities in observance of this day.

Similarly, PRC passed and approved Commission Resolution 1251 of 2020 which proclaimed June 25 as PRC Nationwide Tree Planting Day. This is in support of the CNP’s mission to attain carbon neutrality through reforestation efforts.

CNP is the main program of the Carbon Neutrality Program Convergence that was jointly signed by the CCC, DENR, PRC, and SFFI through a Memorandum of Agreement on 13 June 2022.

For more information on the Climate Change Commission’s mainstreaming activities, visit https://climate.gov.ph and www.facebook.com/CCCPhl.