BOTOLAN, Zambales — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Zambales conducted a tree-planting activity at Sitio Panayunan in Barangay Danacbunga here on October 28, planting mangrove saplings along the shoreline to help care for the environment.

DILG Provincial Director Armi V. Bactad said the project was part of their human resource program and involved both DILG field officers and provincial office personnel.

During the event, PD Bactad expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the team for their participation and stressed that the activity was also an avenue to promote mental health and wellness.

“Napakasarap pala talagang magtanim. Ang saya-saya na habang tinatanim mo [ay] kinakausap mo [iyong itinatanim mo] na protektahan ang kalikasan. That’s exactly the purpose of this activity aside from us communicating with Mother Nature, we leave behind something that replenishes the environment,” Bactad said.

Bactad also persuaded the DILG employees to sustain the spirit of unity and teamwork despite the challenging situation brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. She mentioned that the team should adopt the characteristic of the bakawan (mangrove tree).

“Basta’t magkakapit-bisig tayo kagaya ng mga ugat ng bakawan, we can all triumph over those challenges when we are bound together,” she added.

In the same occasion, Cluster Team Leader LGOO VII Judith Romero discussed the overview of the activity, stressing that it aimed raise awareness of environmental protection.

Meanwhile, Engr. Andy A. Divino, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer (MDRRMO) of LGU Botolan, briefed the participants on the environmental programs of the LGU and the proper method of planting mangrove.

The activity dovetails with DILG’s advocacy for environmental preservation and was designed to connect people with nature and inspire them to be responsible stewards of the environment. — Ma. Garelyn Pangilinan and Jess Edillor