TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The 501st Infantry Brigade underwent a two-day seminar on seedling production to provide soldiers the skills on how to implement environment development projects.

Brigade Civil Military Operations Officer Richard dela Cruz said 49 officers and enlisted personnel attended the seminar where they were given lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on training on seedling production by resource persons from the Institute of Agriculture and Forestry of the Kalinga Apayao State College.

The topics discussed include nursery and seed preparation, seed growing, soil preparation, transplanting, seed hardening/conditioning, budding, grafting, layering and marcotting, sexual and asexual propagation, and supervision of seed production.

Paul Atal, 501st deputy commanding officer, said the seminar is timely as nations are calling for a global campaign to mitigate the effects of Climate Change. He said knowing how to nurture seedlings is important to support the campaign.

Having learned the techniques and procedures in seedling production, Atal said the participants should begin applying the skills they acquired through re-greening and tree planting activities.

501st “Valiant” Brigade Commander Roger Salvador, in a message during the closing rites, also underscored the vital role of every individual in taking care of Mother Earth. He said watersheds have to be preserved to sustain sources of water.

Atal and Salvador also said seed production could be developed as a livelihood activity.

Through the bayanihan program, the Philippine Army in partnership with various sectors and other government agencies are involved in community environment programs like tree planting, school cleaning and beautification.