Subic Bay celebrates Arbor Day with 834 fruit-bearing saplings planted

A large-scale tree planting event took place in Subic Bay to mark Philippine Arbor Day. The activity, held on June 23, 2026, saw hundreds of volunteers gather to plant fruit-bearing saplings at the Mulawin Bayakan Reforestation Site in Pastolan Village. The event, named 'Magtanum Kitamo: Subic Bay's Arbor Day and Forest Bounty Showcase', carried the theme 'Our Forest, Our Craft, Our Bounty'. Over 590 volunteers, including personnel from the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and employees from 106 business locators, participated in the initiative. Together, they planted 834 saplings of fruit-bearing trees such as jackfruit, cashew, soursop, and lipote.

SBMA OIC-Senior Deputy Administrator Amethya P. Dela Llana praised the participants for their efforts in supporting environmental conservation. SBMA Ecology Center Officer-in-Charge Rossell L. Abuyo added that the annual celebration reminds everyone of their shared duty to protect the environment. Philippine Arbor Day is observed nationwide every June 25 under Republic Act No. 10176, also known as the Arbor Day Act of 2012. The newly planted trees are expected to enhance ecological balance and offer long-term benefits to local communities. These include additional food sources and livelihood opportunities. Across the country, similar initiatives by communities, local government units, and agencies continue to address climate change and promote sustainability.