The Office of the Vice President Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Satellite Office (BARMM SO) simultaneously planted around 3,000 trees at the Lamitan City Ecological Park.

The activity was made possible by the partnership of the Provincial Office of the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Energy (MENRE)—Basilan, the local government of Lamitan City, and other government agencies.

According to MENRE Officer of Basilan, Marietta Ladjiman, the continuous planting of trees will have enormous impact in the fight against the adverse effects of climate change.

“Ang importance ng pagtatanim ay climate change mitigation as of this present, noon wala ‘yang climate change mitigation. Ngayon kailangan ‘yan kasi kailangan natin ng shade” (The importance of planting is climate change mitigation. In the past, there was no such thing as climate change mitigation. Now, it is necessary because we need shade), Ladjiman said.

Ladjiman added that the trees are essential in preventing landslides and floods.

“Kailangan natin ng puno sa bundok o kahit man dito ‘yung root system nila ay magprevent ng soil from erosion ‘yung root system sa taas mag absorb ng water sa ulan para pagdaloy sa baba at least hindi na lahat ng tubig coming from up. Hindi na sila sobrang dami at hindi na magkaroon ng flooding,” (We need trees in the mountains or even here, as their root systems help prevent soil erosion. The roots at the top absorb rainwater, so when it flows down, not all the water comes from above. This reduces the amount of water and helps prevent flooding), Ladjiman said.

This year, the OVP-BARRM Satellite Office has already planted 14,050 trees, which is significantly higher than the 4,050 trees they planted last year.

The OVP has made environmental protection its advocacy, which gave life to the program "Pagbabago: A Million Learners and Trees Campaign."

The program aims to plant one million trees within six years or before the end of 2028.