09 March 2023 – The Philippine Army and the Department of Agriculture signed the Memorandum of Partnership on “Raising One Million Fruit Bearing Trees.”

The Department of Agriculture (DA) headed by Senior Undersecretary Domingo F. Panganiban joined the Philippine Army in the simultaneous tree planting activity at the Kamayan Area, Security and Escort Battalion Headquarters, Philippine Army, Fort Andres Bonifacio. This is in line with the 126th Founding Anniversary of the Philippine Army.

Col Victor M. Llapitan MNSA (INF) PA welcomed the participants through a Message specifying the goal of the efforts and the important roles of the Department of Agriculture, as well as, of the other government agencies. The event was also attended by civilian and private stakeholders, and members of the Media. He further mentioned that this is a launch of the Tree Planting activities.

Going on to one of the highlights of the event, the Memorandum of Partnership (MOP) was signed by Philippine Army Chief of Staff MGEN Potenciano C. Camba PA, and DA Senior Undersecretary Domingo F. Panganiban.

DA-Bureau of Soils and Water Management (DA-BSWM) Director Gina P. Nilo served as one of the witnesses to the signing of the Memorandum of Partnership, along with the Officials from the DA-Field Operations Service (DA-FOS, Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), and Agricultural Training Institute (ATI).

After the MOP signing, MGEN Camba PA delivered his Message underscoring that through this indispensable initiative, the Philippine Army is and will aggressively support the food security and national greening programs of the government.

DA Senior Undersecretary Panganiban conveyed his Message, thereafter, wherein he said that the MOP establishes a unique collaboration between the Philippine Army and the Agriculture Department. He further stressed that this partnership is “a joint endeavor that will increase national food security, improve our natural environment, and promote the creation of livelihood opportunities for countless farmers and aquaculture entrepreneurs across the archipelago.”

After the ceremonies, the Tree Planting Activity was conducted, being the highlight of the event. The Project aims to plant one million fruit-bearing trees by 2028.

This Partnership is part of the “Raising One Million Fruit Bearing Trees” in support of the national government’s two-fold effort to address the nation’s food security and environmental protection agenda. As the nationally-mandated agency on the sustainable management of soil and water resources for agriculture, the DA-BSWM is one with this effort.