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In celebration of the International Day of Forests (IDF) 2023, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Bicol through the Conservation and Development Division – Production Forest Management Section (CDD-PFMS) National Greening Program (NGP) Unit spearheaded a Tree Growing cum Communication, Education and Public Awareness (CEPA) Activity with Community Pan-Tree today, March 21, 2022 at the Tabaco South Central Elementary School, Tabaco City, Albay.
 
The initiative, which aims to engage the public in the celebration of the IDF through sustainable greening initiatives was participated in by the students and faculty members of the TSCES, parents, Infinit-O Business Process Outsourcing staff, the Philippine National Police (PNP) – Regional Medical and Dental Unit (RMDU) Regional Office V and DENR V key officials and personnel.
 
In his message, DENR V Regional Executive Director Francisco E. Milla, Jr. thanked the participants for their effort and support to protect the environment. He also urged them to continuously help the Department in conserving our forests, which regulates water flow, cleans the air, capture carbon to fight climate change and provides food, medicine and livelihood to many.
 
With the theme, β€œForests and health”, the celebration of IDF is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) or interlinked Global Goals, particularly SDG No. 3: Good health and well-being and SDG 15: Life on land.
During the tree growing and community pan-TREE, some two hundred (200) indigenous tree species of Caballero, Tisa, Guyabano, Pili, Santol and Sampalok were planted by the participants around the school.
 
Moreover, discussed during the CEPA activity were the importance of all types of forests, their conservation and protection, and pertinent information on the celebration. Likewise, dental and medical services were also offered to the participants through the PNP-RMDU personnel.
 
The International Day of Forests is celebrated annually every 21st day of March to raise awareness on the threat of runaway deforestation and the importance of all types of forests. This celebration was proclaimed by the United Nation General Assembly in 2012.###