COTABATO CITY — In continued celebration of the 4th Bangsamoro Founding Anniversary, the Bangsamoro Urban Forest for Ecological Restoration (BUFFER) Project was launched by the BARMM Government, through the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy (MENRE), on 25 January 2023.

The BUFFER Project targets to grow trees initially within the Bangsamoro Government Center to promote urban mini-forest and increase attraction for the Bangsamoro seat of government. The tree growing activity was led by BARMM Chief Minister Ahod B. Ebrahim, Senior Minister Abdulraof A. Macacua, MENRE Minister Akmad A. Brahim, and Chairman of the Infrastructure Development Committee and concurrent MPW Minister Arch. Eduard U. Guerra.

“As our cities grow, it is important to consider the impact that open spaces have on nature. What was once grassland or trees is now covered in concrete, contributing to the warming of urban areas and to climate change,” cited Minister Brahim.

“This brings us to the BUFFER Project, which aims to convert these open spaces into urban green areas,” he added.

Chief Minister Ebrahim recalled the impact of the Severe Tropical Storm Paeng on BARMM that affected more than 1 million of the population. He stressed the importance of growing trees and protecting our forests in helping mitigate the effect of these natural disasters.

He said that the launching of the BUFFER Project will “demonstrate that we are serious in our efforts with our greening program. Its one importance is in making sure that the environment is well taken care of. This is also a move for us to achieve one of our 12-Point Priority Agenda, which is a Bangsamoro that is disaster-resilient and adaptive to climate change.”

Moreover, Senior Minister Macacua, who was the previous head of MENRE, shared one of the Ministry’s previous taglines: “Ang kalikasan ay handog sa atin ng Diyos. Kailangan natin itong pangalagaan.”

“One of our functions as Al-Khalifa (Steward) is to protect the environment. Ang pangangalaga sa kahoy, ang pangangalaga sa kalikasan ay pangalawang buhay ng isang tao,” Macacua added.

Twenty three (23) Narra seedlings were planted at the OCM Grounds by the distinguished heads and officials of different BARMM Ministries and Agencies. Joining the names mentioned above were the BARMM Deputy Chief Ministers, Assistant Senior Minister, Speaker of the Bangsamoro Parliament, Wali of the Bangsamoro, and Ministers and representatives of MILG, MOH, MIPA, MTIT, MOTC, MOST, BPDA. Participating also were MENRE Deputy Minister Muslima A. Asmawil, Bangsamoro Director General Atty. Badr E. Salendab, and MENRE officials and employees.

The BUFFER Project, with the Forest Management Services led by its Director Abdul-Jalil S. Umngan, will continue to be implemented in the other pocket free spaces of the BGC and in other urban BARMM areas.

Following the theme of this year’s founding anniversary, “Sama-Samang Pagtataguyod Sa Mas Mapayapa At Mas Masaganang Bangsamoro,” the heads and officials of the Bangsamoro Government are hand in hand as well in protecting and conserving the environment.