25/06/2026
Angeles City Marks National Arbor Day with Tree-Planting Drive to Protect Sapangbato Watershed
ANGELES CITY (June 25, 2026) — The Local Government Unit (LGU) of Angeles City commemorated National Arbor Day on Thursday, June 25, with a tree-planting activity at Sitio Spa, Barangay Sapangbato, reaffirming its commitment to environmental protection and sustainable development.
Carrying the theme "Protect Nature, Sustain Our Future," the activity was organized by the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), headed by Ms. Jenifer S. Castro, under the leadership of Mayor Carmelo "Jon" B. Lazatin II. The initiative was conducted in compliance with Presidential Proclamation No. 643, series of 2004, and Republic Act No. 10176, otherwise known as the Arbor Day Act of 2012.
A total of 135 participants joined the activity, including representatives from various city government departments and offices, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), the Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR), and Burger King.
During the event, participants planted 191 fruit-bearing tree seedlings, consisting of 187 Guyabano and 4 Santol saplings, in support of the ongoing reforestation and rehabilitation of the Sapangbato Watershed.
The initiative is expected to contribute to the long-term protection of the city's watershed by promoting water sustainability, preventing soil erosion, mitigating severe flooding, and creating future livelihood opportunities for the local Aeta communities through the cultivation of fruit-bearing trees.
Of the 135 participants, 113 were from the Angeles City LGU, 18 from the BJMP, 2 from the IPMR, and 2 represented Burger King. The participants comprised 94 males and 41 females, reflecting a broad multi-sectoral commitment to environmental conservation.
In his memorandum issued ahead of the activity, Mayor Lazatin emphasized the significance of Arbor Day, which is observed every June 25 nationwide through tree planting and other environmental initiatives.
The memorandum also cited Presidential Proclamation No. 396, series of 2003, as amended by Proclamation No. 643, which encourages the active participation of government agencies, government-owned and controlled corporations, private organizations, schools, civil society groups, and citizens in tree-planting activities.
In line with this directive, Mayor Lazatin called on all city government departments and offices to send at least two representatives to participate in the annual tree-planting activity, underscoring the city's shared responsibility in protecting and rehabilitating the environment.
The annual Arbor Day celebration forms part of the Angeles City LGU's continuing environmental programs aimed at preserving natural resources, strengthening climate resilience, and ensuring a healthier and more sustainable future for generations to come.