‘ILOILO TREE’ PROPAGATED ON ARBOR DAY
The propagation of ‘Iloilo Tree’ and other tree species in the province symbolizes this year’s Arbor Day program on Thursday, June 25.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr will lead the other provincial, municipal and barangay officials in the planting of trees across the 42 towns and Passi City.
The tree planting activities will also be participated in by national government agencies personnel in Iloilo, non-government organizations and others in the private sector.
The 100 Iloilo Tree (scientific name: aglaia argentea) seedlings were donated by Capiz Gov. Esteban ‘Nonoy’ Contreras last June 10, 2020 during his visit to the Iloilo capitol.
“We will also propagate it here,” Gov. Defensor said.
Iloilo ranks 4th among the provinces in Western Visayas with only 8.73% forest cover, according to data from the Land Evaluation Party, DENR Region 6.
Antique has the highest forest cover with 28.58% of the total land area, Aklan has 26.54% forest cover, and Capiz 11.57%. Negros Occ. has 8.69%, and Guimaras has 0.18% forest cover.
The most ideal forest cover is 40%, authorities on the environment point out.*
