Swiss group eyeing to plant 15.6T trees

ILOILO CITY, Philippines – Solidar Switzerland, an international humanitarian organization, is set to launch a tree growing project in three Yolanda-ravaged towns here in an effort to restore the environment the monster storm ruined.

Rolánd Hürlimann, country representative of Solidar Switzerland, informed Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. they will plant 15,600 indigenous tree seedlings in 23 villages located in Sara Batad and Estancia.

The project will kick off with a ceremonial tree planting at 10 a.m. on September 18 in Barangay Pasig, Sara. Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office chief Solidad Sucaldito has set aside 1,500 seedlings for the said activity.

According to Yleanne Balmonte, training coordinator of Solidar Switzerland-Philippines, the project will directly benefit 277 households in the village.

However, once a tree reaches its productive stage, any revenue or materials derived from it will be used for public purpose by the whole community which has a total of 703 households, she said.

She added that the trees will not be cut until they reach the age of 25 to 30 years for whatever good purpose the community agreed.

To sustain the project, Solidar Switzerland will provide tree guard or fence for each seedling as protection against wild animals.

The select beneficiaries will likewise help in monitoring and maintaining the growth of five to 10 trees.

Meanwhile, the governor expressed his support to the project for he, too, has the same project implemented all throughout the province.

His Action for Re-greening and Transformation for Climate Change Adaptation has been intensified after Yolanda wreaked havoc in northern Iloilo.

The rehabilitation project of the governor aims to plant 1.5 million trees and half a million mangroves in affected coastal areas by the end of the year.  - JMD