by Franklin P. Gumapon
DIPOLOG CITY, Feb. 15 (PIA) - - In keeping with the National Greening Program (NGP) currently pursued by the Aquino administration, all public elementary and secondary school in Zamboanga del Norte are now enjoined to intensify tree planting activities involving the students, teachers and parents.
Acting provincial schools superintendent Elsa Refugio-Cruz has recently ordered the schools to submit reports on the implementation of the greening program.
Said reports should contain the name of the school, total enrolment, number of students, teachers and parents involved in tree planting, total number of trees planted and the areas covered.
Cruz said the participation of “Pantawid” beneficiaries in the NGP should be highlighted in the report to monitor their involvement in the program.
It was also observed that the local government units (LGUs) as well as the Philippine National Police (PNP) have fully supported the NGP by spearheading tree planting activities in the different areas identified for the purpose.
It can be recalled the president Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III had issued an Executive Order (EO) No. 26 on February 24, 2011 calling for “the widest and most sustained reforestation in the country” to be participated in by the national government agencies, local government units, government-owned and controlled corporations and others.
The order also mandates each student to plant a minimum of 10 seedlings per year in areas determined by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture (DA) and Department of Agrarian Reform (DA) which compose the convergence initiative. (FPG/PIA-Zamboanga del Norte)