PAGADIAN CITY, July 14 (PIA) – Almost
2,000 mangrove seedlings were planted by the staff of the Parole and Probation
Administration (PPA), Volunteer Probation Aides, and its clients on Thursday at
Tambonan beach, Tabina, Zamboanga del Sur.
The activity is one of the highlights
of PPA’s 36th founding anniversary on July 24 with the theme
“PPA-DOJ at 36: Performance, Professionalism and Accountability in Community
Corrections.
In a brief program held at the
municipal mayor’s office, OIC-Regional Director Tarcisia Tampos said the tree
planting activity was conducted in Tabina because the municipality has a fish
sanctuary and it has a sustained practices in promoting the conservation of
marine protected areas.
SPPO Josilyn S. Bael said “we involved all our clients (offenders) because
it is the mandate of the Supreme Court that they should plant trees and we also
trained them to be socially responsible members of the community.
“This is a way where we can help fight
against climate change. With the continuous tree planting campaign, there is no
doubt that we will no longer feel the serious effects of global warming,” Tampos
expressed her optimism.
Meanwhile, mayor Greg Dayondon was
happy that PPA has chosen his municipality to be the planting site.
“I am happy that our municipality was
chosen as the site for the tree planting,” Dayondon said. “ I also appreciate that clients of the PPA have
joined this activity which will help instill their love for the environment,”
he added.
Dayondon gave an informative power point presentation on coastal
resource management and environmental protection and conservation which was
implemented in their municipality in 2002 making Tabina a consistent winner in search
for outstanding Coastal Resource Management in the entire country for four
consecutive years.
VPA Zamboanga del Sur chapter president
Leonardo Radan, Jr. said he was happy to take part in the project undertaken by
the PPA saying that it will help save the nature.
Radan who managed the association for 4
years said he encouraged the VPAs and
their clients to actively join the activity every anniversary celebration of
the agency to mitigate the effects of climate change.
VPA Evelyn Abergonsado, who were among
the few women who joined the activity said she was very happy that for the
first time, she joined the activity.
“Ang
pagtanom sa kahoy mao ang akong dugay na nga pangandoy tungod kay gusto nako
nga makatabang pagluwas sa atong kalikupan(Tree planting is my long time
dream because I want to help save our mother nature),” Abergonsado said.(ALT/GCC/PIA9-Zambosur)