Tacloban City (May 29) -- The Region 8 Berdeng Pilipinas technical working committee is now making the final preparations for the tree planting activities in the provinces of Leyte, Biliran and Southern Leyte, which is in support of the nationwide Berdeng Pilipinas tree-planting activity.

Deputy Brigade Commander Colonel Bonifacio T. De Castro, Cavalry (GSC) of the Philippine Army, who is the Technical Working Committee Chairman, said that the Region 8 Berdeng Pilipinas technical working committee is scheduled to meet at the Provincial Capitol of Biliran on May 31 in order to make the final plans for the Tree Planting activity which is in line with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s “Berdeng Pilipinas” program described as an ambitious but achievable plan for environmental protection consistent with the values as a nation.

Berdeng Pilipinas Tree Planting is a nationwide activity aimed to encourage the civil society to plant trees, whether fruit bearing or not, simultaneously on June 29, 2007, at 9:00 o’clock in the morning, Colonel De Castro said.

The activity, he said, will involve soldiers, students, local government units, national government agencies and other well meaning civic and non-government organizations.

A total of 1,500,000 tree seedlings are expected to be planted in military camps, school premises and other selected areas during the simultaneous nationwide tree planting, a fete that fits the Guinness World Records.

In Region 8, the member agencies of the Region 8 Berdeng Pilipinas Technical Working Committee are currently in the process of identifying the sites in the provinces of Leyte, Southern Leyte and Biliran recommended by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, for the planting of trees, the nurseries which can be sources of seedlings to be used and the species of trees which will be planted.

Colonel Bonifacio De Castro informed that his office has initially identified the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the City Agriculture Office of Ormoc and the Philippine National Oil Company, as the sources of the seedlings.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo launched not long ago, the “Berdeng Pilipinas,” program, which is geared towards environmental protection, preservation and conservation including beautification and orderliness of the surroundings. It even expects to provide livelihood opportunities to the people.