Tree-planting highlights Earth Day celebration

Tree planting along the Tullahan River banks and a house-to-house garbage disposal information campaign highlighted yesterday’s Earth Day celebration in Caloocan City.

Caloocan City Mayor Enrico Echiverri said the tree planting activity was held along the banks on the Caloocan side of the Tullahan River, which is shared with the cities of Malabon and Valenzuela.

The three planting activity in Barangay 160 was done under the care and supervision of the city’s Environmental Sanitation Services (ESS) headed by Alfonso Sta. Maria.

The house-to-house info drive was conducted in Barangay 82 and neighboring barangays.

Echiverri said the staff of the city’s Solid Waste Management Unit (SWMU) together with barangay officials taught local residents on the proper segregation of garbage.

"The local residents and not only the government employees should do their share in making the environment clean and green. A cleaner and greener city will be a sight to behold and a healthier place to live in," said Echiverri even as he added the information campaign will be a continuing program of the local government.

Meanwhile, the city of Manila celebrates Earth Day today at the People’s Botanical Park, a property owned by the Division of City Schools (DCS), located along Arroceros street at the foot of the Quezon Bridge.

Manila’s Earth Day celebration, dubbed as Payapang Mundo, Paraiso ng Tao, which will be led by the city’s educators, will begin with a Thanksgiving Mass having Rev. Fr. Jose Nilo Lalap, SDB as the main celebrant at 7:30 a.m.

This would be followed by the official opening of the "On the Spot Painting Contest" to be officiated by Art Supervisor Isabelo Magbitang.

After which, the program proper starts with Music Supervisor Josefina Dorol leading the National Anthem seconded by the Manila City Band singing Awit ng Maynila.

Torres High School principal Dr. Romeo Santos will give the opening remarks before a series of cultural performance by the Ramon Magsaysay High School and Lakandula Dance Troupe, among others, to highlight the event.

The People’s Botanical Park, which used to be the old Department of Education (DepEd) head office compound, now houses the Manila DCS Administration Building.