BOTOLAN, Zambales – More than 1,600 government workers joined the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in a tree-growing activity here on September 12 to mark the 125th anniversary of the Philippine Civil Service (PCS).

Participants planted 3,600 seedlings of native and fruit-bearing species, including batino, fringon, akleng parang, cashew, and calamansi across a 20-hectare National Greening Program site at Sitio Alao, Barangay San Juan here.

DENR-Zambales chief Marife Castillo said the initiative aims to boost the province’s reforestation efforts. DENR Regional Executive Director Ralph Pablo, meanwhile, stressed that it reflects the region’s commitment to climate resilience and community-driven restoration.

“This collaborative effort not only promotes environmental sustainability, but also embodies the spirit of public service where unity, stewardship, and action converge to green our future,” Pablo added.

The tree-growing activity also drew participants from various Zambales local government units.

Botolan Mayor Jun Omar Ebdane, who led the Botolan delegation, said the activity “also constitutes a promise to care for the environment to ensure a green future for the next generations of Zambaleños.”

“We will see to it that these trees not only survive, but thrive,” Ebdane said.

The month-long PCS anniversary, with the theme “Bawat Kawani, Lingkod Bayani: Puso, Dangal, at Galing para sa Bayan”, featured tree-growing initiatives among other programs like blood-letting drives across the country. – Taktikom News & Features

COVER PHOTO: State workers plant trees at the National Greening Program site in Barangay San Juan, Botolan, Zambales on September 12. (DENR photo)