Malacañan Palace
19 June 2012

President Benigno S. Aquino III stated during the 25th Anniversary Celebration of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) that he will spearhead the department in its campaign for the welfare of the environment.

The President mentioned the National Greening Program (NGP), the largest reforestation program in the history of the country, which have planted 89.6 million seedlings in almost 128,600 hectares in its first year. He further said that his government will push for the reforestation of 1.5 million hectares in six years.

To prove that he is serious in eliminating illegal logging in the Philippines, he instructed the Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Justice, Department of Environment and Natural Resources as well as the Bureau of Corrections to plan on how to strengthen the campaign against illegal logging. He also talked about the moratorium for illegal logging of natural and residual forests through Executive Order No. 23. In accordance, the Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force had confiscated logs worth 330 million pesos. These logs were converted into chairs, desks, tables which are now used in public classrooms.

The Adopt-An-Estero-Program was also highlighted by President Aquino as a joint environmental project of the private sector and the government. He thanked 275 private companies and local government units which adopted 168 esteros for clean-up.

President Aquino said that it is time to take care of our mother nature. “Panahon na para ibalik natin sa kalikasan ang pag-aarugang ibinigay niya sa atin. Panahon na para patunayang karapat-dapat tayo sa mga biyayang handog sa atin ng mundong ito,” he stated.

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