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ZAMBOANGA CITY (MindaNews / 14 February) —Personnel of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the Zamboanga Peninsula (Region 9) celebrated Valentine’s Day on Monday by hugging trees to promote love and care for the environment.
Datu Tungko Saikol, DENR-9 executive director, said the tree-hugging campaign is an effort of DENR’s Forest Management Bureau that aims to promote social and health benefits derived from nurturing trees and forests.
The activity also seeks to raise awareness on the importance of the tree hugging movement and to introduce an alternative way of celebrating Valentine’s Day by expressing love and care for the environment, he added.
Cidur Julsadiri, acting Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer for Zamboanga Sibugay, said in another phone interview that the tree-hugging activity began in Europe.
The DENR central office advised them to conduct the tree-hugging campaign in the country in the next four days, Julsadiri said.
Julsadiri said this was patterned from the “National Love a Tree Day” celebrated in Europe every May 16.
But this is done this year in the Philippines on February 14 to 17 to raise awareness on the importance of trees and the environment, the official said.
Julsadiri said that DENR personnel from Soccsksargen (Region 12) also conducted a tree-hugging activity to observe Valentine’s Day.
“Some DENR personnel who hugged a tree posted their activity on social media, Roservirico Tan, Pagadian-based DENR-9 Regional Strategic Communication and Initiatives officer, said on the phone. (Frencie Carreon / MindaNews)