Governor Arthur Defensor said the forest is the best flood control project as the Iloilo Provincial Government kicked off the 25th Piyesta sa Kakahuyan Month Celebration on Monday at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol, highlighting the vital role of forests in protecting communities and building a climate-resilient province.
With the theme “Paghanduraw kag Pagpasanyog”, the event gathered local leaders, environmental advocates, and partner agencies.
Governor Arthur Defensor, Jr. led the opening rites, joined by Vice Governor Lee Ann Debuque, DENR 6 OIC-Regional Executive Director Red Raul Lorilla, Provincial Administrator Raul Banias, Oton Mayor Sofronio Fusin, Maasin MENRO Noemi Magullado, Provincial ENRO Chief Cesar Emmanuelle Buyco, Jr., representatives from the UNDP, and other officials.
Defensor emphasized the province’s bold vision to make Iloilo a Forest Province, noting that stronger forests mean stronger and safer communities.
“We want to dedicate the whole month of September in preparation so that our work towards our vision will gain traction,” he said. “The forest is the best flood control project.”
The governor explained that Iloilo’s forest development strategy, anchored on Executive Order 195 or Tanum Iloilo for More Progress, goes beyond ceremonial planting. It focuses on tree growing and forest development interventions in three key areas including recovering primary forests in the mountains, maximizing Integrated Social Forestry Areas for livelihood and sustainability, and mobilizing public and private lands for tree-growing initiatives.
For Defensor, protecting forests is not just about conservation but also about flood prevention, water security, and livelihood opportunities for Ilonggos.
By engaging local governments, communities, schools, businesses, and civic groups, the program aims to turn Piyesta sa Kakahuyan into a convergence movement for environmental resilience.
DENR’s Red Raul Lorilla called the celebration “a symbol of a community united in the crucial mission of rehabilitating our forests and preserving our natural heritage for future generations.”
Buyco meanwhile underscored the broader impact of the initiative.
“This is a memorable step forward for a cleaner and healthier community, a greener and healthier province, a greener and healthier forest province. Please continue to support our climate-resilient forest province.”
Now on its 25th year under Provincial Ordinance No. 2000-040, Piyesta sa Kakahuyan continues to evolve into more than a celebration of trees.
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