20K pine, fruit bearing seedlings, ornamentals available for the planting season; less than 1k trees sown since January
The City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) nurseries in Busol and Botanical garden have more than twenty thousand tree seedlings and ornamentals of various species available for planting in the coming months.
This is according to CEPMO head Atty. Rhenan Diwas, as he requested planters to contact his office or the Urban Forestry Division for the number of seedlings they need.
Atty. Diwas said there is continuous production of seedlings as enthusiastic Baguio environmentalists are expected to plant more; coinciding with the celebration of the third Saleng Festival from June to September.
Since January, as to records from the Urban Forestry Division, Forester Floro Bastian said there were thirteen requests from different groups for seedlings to be planted in various venues. Three entities however re-scheduled the planting of 300 pine seedlings for the rainy months.
This Saturday, May 13; Dominican – Mirador National High School Supreme Student Government and Youth for Environment in School Organization (YES-O) through Scouting Coordinator Roberto Lopez are scheduled to plant 250 seedlings at the Arboretum while on May 20, Sta. Escolastica Village barangay and KALIPI through Reynaldo Guanzon shall plant 50 Benguet pine trees at the Camp 8 watershed.
Other groups opted to plant, water and care for the seedlings in their place of work, in city nurseries or parks, and at a public school.
On Jan. 9, personnel of the People’s Television Network (PTV) led by office head Station Manager Richard Valdez planted 20 Cypress seedlings at their work area façade along Lualhati barangay.
On the same date, the Philippine College of Occupational Medicine, Inc. Baguio-Benguet Chapter led by president Rona Palaganas planted 100 pine seedlings at the Pine Trees of the World, Burnham Park.
On Jan. 12, Special Education (SPED) Grade IV Parent Teachers Association (PTA) President Georgina Ngolab planted assorted ornamental plants at the SPED Center; while the Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers Baguio-Benguet Chapter (PICHE-BB) led by Chapter President Genevive de Vera planted 50 seedlings at the Pine Trees of the World, Burnham Park on Jan 16.
On Feb. 2, the University of Baguio Acropolitis Organization and 4th year BA Political Science class led by Grand Chancellor Francis Ann Cheska Delim planted 60 seedlings at the Arboretum.
On Feb. 12, Igorot Tribe MC of La Trinidad, Benguet led by Lloyd Lundgreen Santiago Bacbac conducted tree care and maintenance at Forbes Park #2. Forester Floro Bastian who supervised the group said dead trees in the area were also replaced.
At the Loakan Proper Water Pumping station, the Persons with Disability (PWD) organization led by Alfonso Aviles planted 100 Pine Tree seedlings on Feb. 16.
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-CAR) Regional Director Leo Quintilla led the Regional Haven for Women and Girls residents and staff led the planting of 60 fruit bearing trees at the Botanical nursery on March 2. They also cleared and ring-weeded the trees.
On March 28, in celebration of women’s month; ceremonial tree planting and eco-walk at the botanical garden was done by Bureau Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) personnel led by Regional Jail chief Revelina Sindol.
Planters were assured by CEPMO personnel that trees in city parks are thoroughly watered and nurtured, though ring weeding or clearing of tree planting venues is most welcome. – JGFianza
