Iloilo: The 2,505 Barangay Service Point Officers (BSPOs) in Iloilo spearheaded the Arbor Day celebrations by planting over 10,000 trees in designated municipal areas. This initiative, led by the Federation of Iloilo Provincial Point Officers, also marked the beginning of a three-day planting event under Governor Arthur Defensor Jr.'s Tanum Iloilo program.

According to Philippines News Agency, the tree-planting event featured a variety of species, including mangroves, indigenous trees, and fruit-bearing trees. Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office Senior Environment Management Specialist Mitzi Pe±aflorida announced plans for another planting activity at the Purok Resilience site on Friday and a broader province-wide effort on Saturday.

The provincial government will also participate in the 'Sikad Program' in Cabatuan, where participants will engage in a 'bike, pick, and plant' activity, which includes a river cleanup and tree planting. Pe±aflorida highlighted the promotion of bamboo, narra, and jackfruit trees in collaboration with the Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion Office.

The initiative aims to transform Iloilo into a forest province by 2044, increasing forest cover from the current 18 percent to 33 percent. Pe±aflorida stated, "Every year, we have a target of more or less 2,000 to 3,000 hectares to be planted."

Governor Defensor, during a media conference, expressed gratitude to the BSPOs for leading the environmental effort. He noted that while BSPOs traditionally handle health data, they are now being involved in environment protection initiatives. The Tanum Iloilo program targets both primary and secondary forests, Integrated Social Forestry Projects, and various public and private spaces for reforestation activities.