Cebu City goal: 3 million trees planted in 3 years

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City government aims to plant three million trees in three years as its way of battling the effects of climate change.

Starting Saturday, October 5, the city government will organize a series of tree planting and growing activities dubbed as “Kakahuyan Alang Sa Kaugmaon” to be spearheaded by Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO).

Mayor Edgardo Labella launched the program attended by some volunteers last Saturday night.

Labella confirmed that there are already 10,000 volunteers from 50 different groups and institutions who have signified their participation for the “symbolic activity.”

This activity will be the official start of the city government’s plan to plant three million trees in three years, he said.

“I’m sure that’s why you are here because of your honest intention to plant and grow trees for our city. Let’s save our city,” Labella told the volunteers.

The activity on Saturday will take place at the South Road Properties, along the Guadalupe riverbank, and mountain barangay of Taptap.

In the mountain barangays, indigenous trees like narra will be planted; in urban areas, ornamental trees will be planted; and in the city’s riverside, bamboo trees will be planted.

Labella said that they will also introduce the “Green Cebu City Stewards” that will consist of forest rangers, river patrol, and coastal patrol. These stewards are tasked to coordinate all efforts of mountain barangays, river barangays, and coastal barangays in the implementation of forest, river, and coastal programs and laws.

Lawyer John Jigo Dacua, CCENRO head, said that the program will be supervised to ensure sustainability.

“The mayor will come up with an executive order creating a committee nga mo-supervise aning project. It will be called Green Cebu City Task Force. I will be the chairman,” said Dacua.

“We will have members from other agencies and departments na motabang nato sa local and sa national. We will be inviting also experts nga motabang nato aning project,” he added.

Labella said that the selection of the environment stewards is also a way of providing employment to those who are committed in helping the city on its campaign to guarantee environmental protection. (FREEMAN)