CEBU, Philippines - June 5 of every year is a Tree-Planting Day in Talisay City.
This after the City Council approved on third and final reading the proposed ordinance making it mandatory for able-bodied residents who are at least 12 years old to plant one tree annually.
The proposed ordinance was authored by City Councilor Antonio Bacaltos Jr., chairman of the Committee on Environmental Protection, Wildlife Ecological and Natural Resources Management.
The approval of the ordinance was also made upon the recommendation of the committee report rendered by Councilor Socrates Fernandez, chairman of the Committee on Laws and Good Government, for the observance of Arbor Day.
The ordinance had been introduced last year but it was stalled because of the items concerning appropriation of funds.
In order to ensure the successful implementation of the ordinance, Fernandez recommended that the City Council shall appropriate the necessary resources to be taken from the 20 percent Development Fund of the city’s Internal Revenue Allotment.
Fernandez said the Tree Planting Day shall be declared as public working holiday in order to ensure the participation of the different sectors of the society.
The measure, he said, underscores the need for the community and stakeholders to be united in protecting the environment.
It likewise spells out effective maintenance and sustainability efforts of the planted trees, including ornaments, with the help of barangay officials and deputized non-government organizations, he added.
The trees will be planted in school grounds, gardens, vacant public lands and parks. — Garry B. Lao (FREEMAN)