Butuan City – In an effort to help preserve vital watershed areas and assure continuous sources and supply of fresh water across the Philippine Archipelago, the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) directed all its local water districts to lead their clients/customers in the massive tree planting activities aiming to plant 30 million trees in three years in their respective areas.

The agency’s plan to lead in the massive tree planting activities in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and local water districts in the country is scheduled to start next month.

“Our main concern here is to preserve our watershed areas and assure continuous sources of fresh and clean water,” said LWUA board chairman Prospero A. Pichay, Jr.

The former Surigao del Sur solon also advocated planting bamboo in many areas which according to him, “retrieves greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide more efficiently than ordinary trees.”

Pichay added that the 30 million trees in three years project is also in full support of President Arroyo’s “tree for life” program.

As this developed, Pichay appealed to the governors, mayors and village leaders to also lead their respective constituents in supporting the program.

Meanwhile, the DENR in Agusan del Sur also stepped up its continuing tree planting activities.