The provincial government of Iloilo is launching the “Tanum Iloilo Challenge”, a tree growing contest that aims to ensure survival of planted seedlings.

The contest is part of the holding of “Tanum Iloilo: Tree Growing With Social Distancing”, a province-wide tree planting activity in line with the 21st Piyesta sa Kakahuyan. It will be held at Barangay Dapdapan, Lemery on September 26, 2020.

To join the challenge, participants shall document their tree planting activity and post it on social media and the Tanum Iloilo Facebook Page. They will then revisit and monitor the growth of the planted trees and document their survival rate during the Piyesta sa Kakahuyan next year.

Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. said the contest aims to achieve a survival rate of more than 80 percent. “What is important is we do not just plant trees but we nurture them. That is why we call it tree growing,” he said. The governor said the tree planting activity is a proof that programs can be pursued amid the COVID-19 pandemic. But he stressed that health protocols will be strictly observed such as maintaining social distancing, wearing of face masks, and washing of hands.

Tanum Iloilo is geared towards the planting of 1.5 million trees in the province in a day. Among those to be planted are the 100 seedlings of Iloilo tree donated by the Capiz provincial government to the province of Iloilo. The endemic plant, known scientifically as Aglaia argentea, was named after the province of Iloilo.
Other species include fruit trees, indigenous trees, bamboo, and coconut.

Tanum Iloilo is a convergence program of the province with the national government agencies, local government units, non-government organizations (NGOs), people’s organizations (POs), socio-civic organizations, the academe, religious organizations, the media, and the business sector, among others.

The governor also enjoined households to have their “home quarantine tree planting” on the said day. Each household is encouraged to plant at least five seedlings, preferably fruit trees. (LHC/Capitol news)