𝐀𝐑𝐃𝐄𝐂, 𝐋𝐆𝐔 𝐊𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝟐.𝟓 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐬

𝐊𝐈𝐃𝐀𝐏𝐀𝐖𝐀𝐍, 𝐂𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐨 – In a bid to plant 2.5 million trees of various species from February 2023 to January 2024, the city government of Kidapawan expresses its desire to forge a partnership with the Agroforestry Research, Development and Extension Center (ARDEC) of the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) – Region XII.

Said initiative is in line with the city’s celebration of its 25th charter anniversary dubbed as Canopy ’25 with its effort to grow and nurture 2.5 million trees of indigenous forest species, fruit-bearing trees, and bamboo. It aims not only to improve the condition of the environment and its landscape but also to instill the essence and value of shared responsibility in protecting the environment as well as the benefits from its invaluable resources.

In the proposed partnership, ARDEC shall provide technical assistance to the personnel of City ENRO-Kidapawan and those involved in the project on the production of quality planting materials as well as on plantation establishment and monitoring of plantations.

ARDEC also committed to provide quality seeds from ARDEC’s Southern Mindanao Forest Tree Seed Center (SMFTSC) in Tagum City to ensure that the planting materials to be produced are from good sources.

On February 21, 2023, the city government of Kidapawan launched the Canopy ‘25 in Brgy. Ginatilan to mark the commencement of its year-long activity which was attended by the ARDEC-Technology Transfer, Promotion and Extension Unit (TTPEU) Head Vilma Flauta-Nitura and ARDEC Station 1 Head Jethrone M. Setenta.

During the launching, Kidapawan City Mayor Atty. Jose Paolo M. Evangelista expressed his high hopes for the support of various sectors and that he looks forward to partnerships for the greater good of the people and the environment. Jethrone M. Setenta/ARDEC | RSCIGP