DIGOS CITY, Davao del Sur — The City Government of Digos planted 300 tree seedlings at the Bagsakan Terminal in Barangay Tres de Mayo on August 1, 2026, turning a weekly civic ritual into a growing invitation for eco‑conscious travelers. The Saturday Service Day activity, led by Mayor Josef Fortich Cagas, is steadily transforming the city into a greener, more visit‑worthy destination.
A Weekly Ritual for the Environment
Every Saturday, hundreds of volunteers gather before sunrise to dig, plant, and water saplings across Digos City’s 26 barangays. This particular weekend brought over 400 participants—city employees, national agency staff, private groups, and community members—to a busy trading post. Their collective effort is gradually weaving a green canopy into the urban landscape.
The site, the Bagsakan Terminal, is a major drop‑off point for agricultural goods. Planting trees here serves dual purposes: shading weary traders and travelers while improving air quality. For tourists passing through on their way to the highlands, the growing greenery offers a refreshing first impression. The initiative proves that even the most utilitarian spaces can become greener and more welcoming.
From One Million to Two Million Trees
Mayor Cagas used the occasion to announce an ambitious new target: two million trees across the city. This builds on the success of the One Million Trees Program, launched in 2020 and completed ahead of schedule. The mayor expressed gratitude to the volunteers whose hands have made the program a lasting success.
The transition from one million to two million signals a long‑term commitment rather than a short‑term project. Native and fruit‑bearing species are prioritized, ensuring ecological benefits and future food sources. For visitors, this means more shaded parks, cooler streets, and a city that visibly cares for its environment. Each tree planted is an asset for both the community and the traveler experience.
Rooting for Eco‑Tourism
Digos City is known as the gateway to Mount Apo, the country’s highest peak, and its environmental programs are closely tied to this identity. The tree‑planting drives complement major eco‑tourism investments such as the Digos City Eco‑Park and Arboretum in Barangay San Nicolas. These green spaces offer hiking trails, picnic areas, and panoramic views that attract both local and international visitors.
Cool‑weather Barangay Kapatagan, famous for its pine trails, civet coffee farms, and mountain lakes, adds another layer to the city’s tourism portfolio. The lowland greening initiatives ensure that visitors experience a consistent environmental ethos from the city center to the uplands. A unified green image strengthens Digos City’s brand as the “City of Choice” for nature lovers. Tourists increasingly seek destinations that prioritize sustainability, and Digos is delivering on that expectation.
A Gateway to Mount Apo
For adventure seekers heading to Mount Apo, Digos City is the primary jump‑off point. The city’s reforestation efforts directly benefit the mountain’s buffer zones, protecting watersheds and preventing erosion along trekking routes. Healthier forests mean richer biodiversity, more reliable water sources, and safer trails for climbers.
The same volunteers who plant trees in the lowlands are also stewards of the highland ecosystems that draw thousands of mountaineers each year. The Saturday Service Day program thus supports the entire eco‑tourism value chain, from urban transit hubs to remote mountain camps. As Digos City plants its way toward two million trees, it is also cultivating a reputation as a destination where nature and community thrive together.
