Ormoc plants over 1,000 trees on Arbor Day

Mayor Codilla during the ceremonial tree-planting activity.
(Photo by Dante Raden)

MORE than a thousand trees were planted during the Arbor Day, in reference to the Latin word “arbor” which means “tree.” Mayor Edward C. Codilla issued Executive Order No. 24 declaring Aug. 20, 2015 as a public working holiday here in observance of Arbor Day for tree planting.

Explaining the occasion’s importance, Councilor Pedro Godiardo P. Ebcas, vice chairman of the Arbor Day committee cited data from the Environment Department indicating that the Philippines had 17 million hectares forest cover in 1934. This was reduced to only 7 million hectares in a span of 70 years or a reduction rate of 142,000 hectares annually.

While the reduction rate was minimized to 74,000 hectares annually during the period 2003-10, Ebcas still considers this a considerable amount. Vice Mayor Leo Carmelo L. Locsin Jr. also cited his own research stating that every person on earth needs to plant 60 trees to recover lost forest cover.

The occasion kicked off with a ceremonial tree-planting at the plaza stage. Fifteen plots were prepared around the stage, one for each participating government agency and civic organization. The tree species planted consisted of Yakal, Bagtikan and White Lauan.

Mayor Codilla represented the local government unit (LGU). Other agencies represented are Philippine National Police (PNP), 19^th Infantry Battalion (IB), Department of Education (DepEd), Association of Barangay Chairmen, Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs, Kilusan ng mga Broadcasters sa Pilipinas, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), Environment and Natural Resources Division, Energy Development Corp. and 4^th Leyte Engineering District (Led).

After the ceremony, the participants proceeded to their designated places of planting. Most of them went to Lake Danao Natural Park to plant 100 fruit trees consisting of kamansi, jackfruit and rambutan as well as 350 good lumber species like Lauan and Bitungol.

Employees of the LGU, PNP as well as members of Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs planted 2,005 propagules consisting of miape, bongalon and bachaw species at the Naungan mangrove farm. Members of the Naungan-San Juan Mangrove Planters Association joined them.

PCA employees planted coconut trees (Baybay Tall variety) – 200 each in Brgys. RM Tan and Curva. The PNP, 19^th IB and local farmers also participated in those areas. Sixty personnel of DepEd joined by 12 Boy Scouts planted 50 trees inside the campus of New Ormoc National High School.

 
The staff of 4^th Led planted 100 fruit trees (kamansi and jackfruit) on the stretch of the national road in Brgy. Simangan near San Lorenzo Ruiz College. Members of the PNP and 19^th IB joined them.