Cebu City kicks off massive tree planting

CEBU, Philippines — The massive greening and beautification program in the City of Cebu launched yesterday with Mayor Michael Rama urging everyone participating to do it with all their heart.

The program dubbed, “Kuyog Ta! Panindot Pahapsay sa Palibot,” kicked off at the South Road Properties.

Rama and his wife, Malou, who heads the greening and beautiful program, led the tree-planting activity.

“Sa pagtanom nato mao gyud ni akong mahinumduman sa akong amahan—ang kinabuhi makit-an nimo diha sa imong gitanom. Ibutang sa kasing-kasing…Ang inyong gitanom palihog unta itanom sad ninyo sa kasingkasing. Because when your heart will speak, your mind will listen,” said Mayor Rama.

“Let’s plant, let’s plant, let’s plant. Let’s continue planting because when we plant, we bring life,” added Rama.

Aside from SRP, other areas that also had a tree-planting activity yesterday include sitio Casili and Osmeña Shrine in Barangay Kalunasan and D’ Family Park in Barangay Talamban.

Malou, for her part, stressed the importance of protecting the environment.

“Nindot kaayo kay dili lang dinhi sa city (proper) pati na ang mga kabukiran ato gihapong protektahan. Kay kanus-a pa man ta moprotekta sa atong kinaiyahan? Inig naa na ang katalagman?” the city’s first lady said.

“So karon, while wala pa, ato nang protektahan. I’m doing this not for me; I’m doing this for the future of my son, MJ, and of course kaninyong tanan. Buhaton ni ninyo para sa kaugman sa atong mga anak ug mga apo,” Malou added.

Aside from the tree-planting activity, the first couple of the City of Cebu also visited the vegetable garden of the Cebu City Environmental and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) also at the SRP, the city’s PIO reported.

A mural painting around the VECO Compound in Barangay Carreta also took place yesterday.

Different activities are lined up by the city government as part of the city’s 86th Charter Day celebration.

Over at the City Hall, an exhibit of Don Vicente Rama, Father of Cebu City, also opened in the morning while the talent competition among employees took place in the afternoon. — GMR (FREEMAN)