CEDC, DENR plant trees in Taptap

CEBU, Philippines -  The current weather that again threatens lowland areas in Cebu City prompted an energy agency to contribute to the prevention of possible flooding in the future.

The Cebu Energy Development Corp., in partnership with the government, has started restoring its 500 hectares of riparian zone and vegetative cover at the Mananga River Watershed Forest Reserve.

Arthur Aguilar, president of Global Business Power Corp. which also operates CEDC, said the activity is part of their corporate social responsibility.

Under its environmental and livelihood development Program dubbed as “Kabilin”, which was launched yesterday, CEDC started planting trees at Gov. Joe Leyson Peak, Barangay Taptap yesterday.

Socorro Atega, Cebu Uniting for Sustainable Water (CUSW) Foundation executive director, said they gathered together to restore the life support system of the people.

“Karon nga naay bagyo, magbaha na sad ang Cebu, Talisay and Mandaue Cities.If we don’t keep the waters in the watershed, these lowlands will still be susceptible to floods.So let us continue to unite and leave a ‘kabilin’ for our future generation,” she said.

After a brief program, the representatives planted trees such as mahogany, tick, gemelina, and guyabano which they plan to plant for the next five years.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, who was supposed to attend the event if not for an appointment in Manila, sent a letter that Msgr. Carlito Pono read.

“We can look forward to clean water and less floods, cooler atmosphere. This will define a dozen more benefits to us and to our children and to our children’s children in the generations to come,” Palma said in his letter.

Palma said no less than Pope Benedict XVI reminds the people of the importance of ecology so we better care of it.

“This is fullness of God’s blessings,” the archbishop said.

CEDC, which entered into a partnership with CUSW, was joined by the Toledo Power Corp., the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Cebu City Councilor Nida Cabrera, chairwoman of the City Council committee on environment.

They were also joined in by barangay officials of Taptap, Sudlon II, and Pung-ol Sibugay and the Church represented by Pono who is also chairman of the Heritage Commission of the Archdiocese of Cebu.

The project also aims to develop watershed-compatible livelihood activities as additional sources of income for upland farmers.– (FREEMAN)