More trees planted at Capiz arboretum

Capiz governor Antonio del Rosario (right) and vice governor Esteban Evan Contreras II plant an apitong tree at the provincial arboretum during the June 25 Arbor Day celebration in Roxas City. An arboretum is a place where trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants are cultivated for scientific and educational purposes.

ROXAS City – At least 80 native and sporadic trees were planted at the “work-in-progress” provincial arboretum in the Capiz Provincial Park.

The planting of the trees was part of the June 25 Arbor Day celebration in the city.

The trees – which includes fruit-bearing, beach and upland species – are seen to “beautify and transform” the park into an outdoor learning space from being a mere strolling site.

“Sixteen majestic trees that were found to be significantly connected to the province’s municipalities are also in the arboretum,” said provincial government arboretum development consultant and Philippine native trees enthusiast Dr. Harold Buenvenida.



Governor Antonio del Rosario led the early morning planting of trees, citing the province-wide “One In One Project” of the Capiz Environment and Natural Resources Office (CaPENRO). The project aims to plant one million trees in a day.

“We are happy and proud that you are the first local official in the country to initiate the ‘museum’ of living Philippine native trees project,” Buenvenida, a botanist, said.

The arboretum is CaPENRO’s contribution to government efforts aimed at saving native trees from extinction and possible forest regeneration of the tree species.

In Barangay Milibili, there is also a “Hortus Botanicus,” a site were endemic plants are housed. They are properly labeled and arranged according to families. (With a report from the Philippine Information Agency/PN)