CCENRO sets tree-growing activities

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Environment and Natural Resource Office (CCENRO) alongside Task Force Gubat sa Baha forged a collaboration with various stakeholders in the city for tree-growing activities when the rainy season comes in the second half of this year.

CCENRO head Reymar Hijara said they are currently keeping in touch with different partners for a series of tree-growing activities. This will involve the private sector volunteers, civic groups, NGOs, and the academe who have committed to working with the local government not only to plant trees but also to ensure their nurturing.

“Nag-touch base mi sa mga partners nato sa tree-planting activities nato puhon ig-sugod na ulan. Start na mi June,” Hijara said.

Based on their recent meeting, the schedules agreed for the tree-growing activity will be on June 15 and 29, July 13 and 27, August 10 and 24, September 7 and 21, October 12 and 26, and November 9 and 23 in different locations that are still being finalized.

At the moment, the available location for tree growing is the city’s nursery in Kalunasan.

They are also eyeing the area near SM City Cebu near the center island and Ayala Heights for the tree-growing activities.

Tree growing is different from tree planting in that it is to ensure that the seedlings will be taken care of after being planted until they become full-grown.

“Oo, tree-growing na ta. Nag-brainstorm ta with the partners nato unsaon pag-transition from merely planting into tree-growing,” Hijara said.

“Experience man gud sa CCENRO nga daghan gi-tanom nga mga trees mangamatay lang or putlon sa mga nagpuyo duol sa site... Naa to suggestions nga in from of adopt-a-tree for an organization nga set up naa pud multi-party collaboration ang tree-growing (meaning lain ang mag-tanom, lain ang mag-amuma in various phases). But essentially ato gi-hisgutan nga dili lang kita kutob sa pagpananom. Ug para ma-amuma ang mga kahoy, importante kaayo ang pakigtambayayong sa tanang sector sa komunidad,” Hijara added.

Hijara also said that they will also be exploring a technology for reforestation while also encouraging planting native trees instead of the exotic Gmelina and Mahogany which may cause harm to the biodiversity.

CCENRO also has many available seedlings of trees that can be planted. One can request their office for some seedlings if they are interested to plant and nurture trees on their own.

“We told them nga naa ta daghan seedlings nga ato ra hatag for free sa karon,” Hijara said. — (FREEMAN)