In celebration of Philippine Arbor Day, the DENR National Capital Region through its West Field Office (WFO), organized a Community PanTree at Balagtas Covered Court, Barangay 863 Pandacan Manila on Friday, 25 June 2021.

A total of 303 seedlings of fruit-bearing trees composed of Langka, Mangga, Duhat, Atis, and Guyabano and 350 seedlings of Mustasa and Pechay were given to residents of the area for free. Recipients of the seedlings were also given instructions on how to transplant and take care of their plants by Mr. Ramonito P Parian, Farm Foreman from the Production Forest Management Section (PFMS) of the Conservation and Development Division (CDD).

A short program preceded the distribution of free seedlings and Punong Barangay Ramonito C. Tuliao took the opportunity to thank the regional office for the free seedlings. Barangay Chairman Tuliao is hopeful that his constituents and residents from neighboring barangays as well will be inspired in backyard gardening and urban greening.

Likewise present to express the city government’s support to the activity is Mr. Edward Padilla of the Department of Public Services (DPS), Manila City Hall. Forester Rodelina M. De Villa, OIC Deputy Chief Environmental Officer of the WFO, thanked the host community for their warm welcome. She also vowed to further strengthen WFO’s partnership with the city government in the planning and implementation of environmental projects.