by Jake Sanders, Associate Editor<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Coast Guard District Southwestern Mindanao (CGDSWM) kicked off August with a successful tree planting event aimed at restoring degraded mountain areas and rangelands. A total of 120 seedlings of Narra, Dao, and Kalumpang species were planted on August 1, 2024, at the Regional Training Center (RTC)-Zamboanga in Sinubong village, Zamboanga City. The CGDSWM expects these newly planted trees to enhance water yield capacity and timber production, thereby significantly benefiting local environmental health and aligning with the objectives of the National Greening Program (NGP). The NGP, a government priority initiative, aims to alleviate poverty, ensure food security, maintain environmental stability, preserve biodiversity, and bolster climate change resilience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Captain Marilyn Jaal, Deputy Commander of CGDSWM, spearheaded the tree planting event in collaboration with Joey Ramos from the City Environment and Natural Resources Office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Personnel from RTC-Zamboanga, Marine Environmental Protection Enforcement Response Group-Southwestern Mindanao, Civil Relations Group-Southwestern Mindanao, and Coast Guard Station Zamboanga took part in the activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The CGDSWM highlighted the collective dedication to ecological preservation and sustainable development demonstrated by the collaborative efforts of all involved parties.<\/p>\n