Baguio City Councillor Betty Lourdes Tabanda is pushing for the mandatory tree planting Baguio City residents (photo from Baguio City website)
Each family will soon have to plant a tree and take care of it if the Baguio City Council’s measure pushing for mandatory tree planting is approved into law.
Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda, who proposed the ordinance, stressed “the role of a tree in our environment is very crucial.”
According to her, the end goal of the program is to heighten appreciation of each family member on the seriousness of saving the environment through the planting and fully growing a tree.
Tabanda noted that such an activity is an opportunity for family bonding that is meaningful, especially for the young so they can get exposed to the environment programs of the city.
She added that participating families of at least three members will be prioritized in the barangay programs and in the extension of benefits.
To meet this requirement, the tree may be planted in three possible sites — the grounds of the family home, any place specified by the barangay or if no place within the barangay, other sites approved by the City Environment and Parks Management Office (Cepmo) or the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
The barangay will then check out the tree, indicate the name of the family who planted it through a tag, and the date the tree planting was undertaken.
Inspection by the barangay of the planted tree will be done annually to supervise its growth, capped with a report forwarded to Cepmo. (Jojo Mangahis)