Dad: Native trees should be planted

Give priority to the planting of native trees.

This was the call of Cebu City Councilor Edgardo Labella after observing that most trees that uprooted by typhoons were classified as "introduced trees" stressing that the destruction properties and power lines caused by trees might be avoided if the right trees were planted along the streets and roads.

The so-called native trees are narra, dao, cupang and bogras while introduced trees are gemelinas, mahoganies, acacias and fire trees.

In his proposed resolution Labella quoted Benjamin Vallejo Jr., assistant professor of the Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology of the University of the Philippines, that a day after the onslaught of typhoon Milenyo that many of the trees that were left standing firm and still strong were the native trees.

The planting of the introduced trees has become popular among the planters nowadays because they grow faster than the so-called native trees, Labella said, but it could be easily be uprooted whenever there is a strong typhoon.

"Considering that the introduced trees are usually more aesthetically pleasing and good for ornamental, they should be planted only in areas such as parks and away from power and electrical installations and structures where they pose less risk to life and property," Labella said.

Labella is also asking the city agricultural office, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Association of the Barangay Councils to give priority to the planting of the native trees along the roads and streets rather than the introduced trees when there are tree planting activities and projects that they would undertake as a preventive and pro-active measure. - Garry B. Lao/BRP