In a show of environmental unity, more than 1,600 volunteers planted 5,000 native and endangered tree seedlings along the Maasin Watershed in Barangay Daja, Maasin on Saturday, October 18 — marking the 25th year of the Piyesta sa Kakahuyan, the province’s longest-running greening movement and cornerstone of its vision to become a “Forest Province” by 2044. Led by Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., the annual tree-planting drive reaffirmed Iloilo’s long-term commitment to climate resilience and forest restoration. The Maasin watershed, which spans 6,150 hectares and supplies potable water to Iloilo City and neighboring municipalities, is at the heart of the province’s environmental strategy.

Galigao, N. N. (2025, October 20). Iloilo marks 25 years of ‘green’ legacy with massive watershed replanting; 5,000 native seedlings take root in Maasin. Panay News, p. 3.