DAVAO ORIENTAL – Armed with bolos and planting gears, hundreds of employees from the Provincial Capitol and national agencies flocked at the Governor’s Tree Park in Barangay Dahican in the City of Mati to participate in the annual Simultaneous Tree Planting Activity and Launching of the Governor’s Tree Park Thursday morning,
Situated at the sprawling Government Center in Barangay Dahican in the City of Mati, the Governor’s Tree Park was launched to honor Davao Oriental’s past Governors and to symbolize the province’s hope for a future where economic progress intertwines with environmental sustainability.
Part of the series of events slated for the celebration of Davao Oriental’s 50th Founding Anniversary and the province’s Million Trees Movement, the tree planting activity is a province-wide undertaking where all ten towns and one city and ancestral domains simultaneously planted trees.
In the Governor’s Tree Park in the City of Mati alone, more than 1,000 narra seedlings have been planted during the activity, Officials here hope that most of the trees will survive, turning the currently empty Park into a picturesque mini forest in several years where people can stroll and enjoy nature within the rapidly progressing city.
Governor Nelson L. Dayanghirang, who was represented by the Capitol’s Chief of Staff Ednar Dayanghirang, dedicated the Park to the past Governors of the province whose astounding performance contributed to the Davao Oriental’s development. He gave special credit to Former Governor, now Representative of the first district, Cong. Corazon N. Malanyaon, for her remarkable achievements that made Davao Oriental among the leading provinces in the region not only in terms of economic progress but also in the field of environment protection.
“Why choose a tree to symbolize the governorship of the province? This is because, in today’s changing climate, trees represent hope and life. Standing trees strengthen the resilience of local people against the impacts of climate change as trees regulate temperature by cooling the environment, recharge watersheds, strengthen slopes against landslides, dissipate wind and wave energy,” said Dayanghirang, adding that trees also provide habitat for wildlife, food and medicine for the people and the list goes on.
Like a tree, leaders provide for the needs of their constituents. “We know for a fact that in our official function, we provide basic services and inspire hope to the local people for a healthy, secure and safe living condition. Against all odds, like a tree, a Governor has to stand up for the wellbeing of his people,” he said.
Governor Dayanghirang urged the participants to do their fair share and pitch in for the province’s progress by supporting the leadership’s development programs while by being advocates of a sustainable environment. By Karen Lou Deloso.
