COTABATO CITY — The Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy (MENRE) – BARMM awards land patents, turns over seedlings and trash bins to qualified and selected beneficiaries and partners on 25 January 2023 during the 5th day of the weeklong celebration of the 4th Bangsamoro Founding Anniversary.

Part of the Ministry’s mandate is to efficiently manage and administer land-related concerns and matters, promote and implement the greening of our region, and ensure proper solid waste management.

With that, the MENRE held another series of three activities: 1) the awarding of 12 land patents; 2) turnover of 5 seedlings to each land patent beneficiary; and 3) ceremonial transfer of trash bins to BARMM Ministries and Offices.

“As we continue to celebrate our founding anniversary, may we instill in our hearts the value of love for our environment and promote collective environmental action as we pursue just and lasting peace and development in the Bangsamoro region,” MENRE Minister Akmad A. Brahim said in his message.

The MENRE activities were conducted at the Office of the Chief Minister together with MENRE key officials and employees. Until the anniversary’s culmination, the Ministry will continue to carry this year’s theme: “Sama-Samang Pagtataguyod sa Mas Mapayapa at Mas Masaganang Bangsamoro.”

On the same day, the MENRE launched the Bangsamoro Urban Forest for Ecological Restoration (BUFFER) Project that targets to grow trees initially within the Bangsamoro Government Center to promote urban mini-forest and increase attraction for the Bangsamoro seat of government. This would support the implementation of the flagship Integrated Bangsamoro Greening Program across the five provinces of BARMM. With the set of seedlings distributed to each land patent beneficiary, the overall activity advocates joint efforts of the government and the people in establishing a region that’s greener and cleaner.