Naga sets tree growing activity on Saturday

CEBU, Philippines - The local government of the City of Naga is preparing the site for the tree growing activity on Saturday where trees will be planted as replacement for the ones cut to give way to the city’s track oval project.

Department of Environment and Natural Resour-ces-7 spokesperson Eddie Llamedo said he was told by Naga City environment officer Obdulla Lescano that ground preparations have been made at the 3.9-hectare site in Sitio Kaduldolan, Barangay Lutac.

“So far, they have dug 2,000 holes. They have also done site preparations like brushing, clearing,” Llamedo said.

The city government decided to exceed the required number of trees to be planted from 2,900 to 3,900 seedlings. About 60 percent of replacement tree species will be narra while the rest are forest and fruit trees. More than 20 private groups have pledged participation. There will be also students expected to join.

Llamedo said they invited running priest Fr. Robert Reyes to attend the tree growing activity but he declined.

“Sayang. By attending the tree growing, he could have been a good addition to the multi-partite monitoring team to ensure survival of seedlings at 80 percent. We basically choose monitoring team from those who attend the planting,” Llamedo explained.

Moreover, the DENR official explained that the reported verbal order from Secretary Ramon Paje not to touch the 21 remaining trees inside the Naga City Central School is not necessary as the DENR-7 will no longer cut these following the revision of the special tree cutting permit that reduced the trees for cutting from 79 to 58. — (FREEMAN)