BONTOC, Mountain Province – Elected officials and employees of the Bontoc Local Government Unit (LGU), along with bikers and officials of Barangay Balili took part in the tree-planting activity on September 2, 2023, at Kaman-Utek, Barangay Balili, Bontoc, Mountain Province.
The activity, organized by the Bontoc LGU through the Municipal Environment and Natural Resource Office (MENRO), in collaboration with the Provincial LGU of Mountain Province through the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO), as well as the LIWID Bikers is part of the lined-up activities to commemorate the 115th Bontoc Foundation Day and 19th Am-among Festival.
According to Municipal Government Assistant Department Head Roger Agcapen of the (MENRO), at least 540 Pine Tree, Marang, and Mulberry seedlings have been planted.
Christian Kadchao, from Barangay Samoki, donated 47 Mulberry Seedlings while 200 Pine Trees came from Am-ancho and the rest came from the PLGU-MP-PENRO. Agcapen added that the officials of Barangay Balili committed to look after and protect the seedlings as they grow.
On the part of the Bontoc LGU, the MENRO will do a follow-up check-up every summer to ensure that the trees are healthy and growing properly.
In support of the promotion of a healthier ecosystem through the rehabilitation and re-greening of the environment, 43 bikers in Bontoc mostly from the LIWID Bikers supported the activity as they aim to promote health and wellness through Fun Ride biking. Knittle Jane Lingbanan from the Municipal Planning and Development Office and one of the members of the LIWID Bikers mentioned that 32 are male and 11 are female bikers. Noteworthy is that two nine-year-old children braved the rainy weather as they pedaled their way to Balili and joined the climb to Kaman-week, each bringing seedlings to plant.
Bontoc Mayor Jerome “Chagsen” Tudlong, Jr., extended his gratitude to everyone who joined the activity amidst the inclement weather. He expressed high hopes that the activity will motivate the people of Bontoc to care for the environment, particularly the province’s lush mountains.
“It is proper that we take the lead to campaign on how we can help save Mother Earth. This is our countermeasure of the climate change that we are experiencing today. Thus, what we have planted is not only for ourselves but for our children and our grandchildren,” Mayor Tudlong added.
Meanwhile, the Incident Management Team (IMT) comprising the Law and Order and Emergency Medical Services were deployed during the said activity. By Shannon Anthea S. Pagaduan & Alpine L. Killa-Malwagay
