The Civil Service Commission Regional Office VI (CSC RO VI) and its Field Offices, alongside partner agencies, organized the Tree-growing for a Cause Activity: Malasakit sa Kalikasan, Malasakit sa Lingkod Bayani from September 16 to 23, 2024, across Panay Island, including Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, and Iloilo City, and Negros Occidental.

This initiative coincided with the Linggo ng Malasakit sa Kalikasan during the 124th Philippine Civil Service Anniversary (PCSA) celebration, underscoring the importance of sustainable environmental efforts. Coordinated by the CSC and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the event aimed to contribute to climate change mitigation, promote environmental stewardship, and raise funds for the Pamanang Lingkod Bayani (PLBI) program, which supports families of civil servants who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

Activities Across the Region

On September 16, CSC Field Office Aklan and the Aklan Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office conducted their tree-growing activity at the DENR Mechanized and Modernized Forestry Nursery in Jawili, Tangalan, Aklan. Despite monsoon rains, 185 participants from 33 agencies successfully planted 11,645 wildlings in seed trays, with some planting across three sites, totaling 215 seedlings. Mayor Gary T. Fuentes of LGU-Tangalan attended as the guest of honor.

The following day, September 17, the Field Office in Guimaras led a similar initiative in Brgy. Tanglad, Sibunag, with over 100 participants from 22 agencies, partnering with PENRO Guimaras and the Guimaras Council of Human Resource Management Practitioners.

On September 19, the Antique Field Office organized a tree-growing event at Sitio Catwayan, Patnongon, with 242 participants from 35 government agencies. This effort, in collaboration with LGU-Patnongon, PGO-Antique, PENRO Antique, Patnongon Water District, and CHRMPs focused on planting 4,000 mangrove seedlings. Mangroves are crucial for coastal ecosystems, protecting shorelines, providing habitats for marine life, and sequestering carbon, thus helping combat climate change.

CSC Field Office Capiz also participated on September 19, with 215 attendees from various agencies gathering in Sapian, Capiz for a similar activity.

On September 20, approximately 1,000 participants from 50 government agencies in the province and city of Iloilo came together for the tree-growing activity, led by CSC FO-Iloilo. Civil servants and agency heads planted mangrove propagules along the riverbanks of the newly inaugurated Iloilo Sunset Boulevard. The event featured notable attendees, including CSC RO VI Director IV Nelson G. Sarmiento, Director III Erna T. Elizan, CSC FO Iloilo Director II John Esar T. David, and other officials from the different government agencies in Iloilo.

At least 500 participants planted 700 seedlings during the Tree-growing for a Cause Activity organized by the CSC Field Office Negros Occidental in collaboration with PENRO Negros Occidental, Council of Human Resource Management Practitioners of Negros Occidental and LGU-Don Salvador Benedicto on September 23 at Brgy. Kumaliskis, Don Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental.

The CSC RO VI also served as the focal office for the Tree-growing for a Cause Activity in the entire CSC.

Continued Commitment to Sustainability

Beyond the tree-growing activities, CSC RO VI and its Field Offices also facilitated various other PCSA-related events emphasizing sustainable management throughout the month. Initiatives included the Viberun: Takbo para sa mga Servant Heroes, Government Job Fair, Medical Missions, Bloodletting drives, and Outreach Activities.

These activities collectively reflect the commitment of the CSC and its partners to sustainability and community service, reinforcing the role of public servants in fostering environmental stewardship and support for their communities.