June 25 declared ‘Philippine Arbor Day’

While Bayani Fernando is planning to have trees cut, President Arroyo wants more trees planted.

Mrs. Arroyo has issued a proclamation declaring June 25 as "Philippine Arbor Day" ordering government officials, including the chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), to lead the nation in planting trees.

"All members of the Cabinet and heads of government agencies, local government units and other instrumentalities of the government are hereby enjoined to lead in the tree-planting activities through appropriate ceremonies," the directive says.

"There is a need for all government agencies, including government-owned and controlled corporations, the private sector, schools, civil society and citizenry to participate in tree-planting activities nationwide," it adds.

Philippine Arbor Day "would develop greater public awareness on the importance and role of trees in environmental health and human life," Mrs. Arroyo said in Proclamation No. 396.

Mrs. Arroyo said the government should set aside a day each year for tree-planting.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources will take charge of tree-planting in forest lands, the Department of Public Works and Highways along national roads, the Department of National Defense in military reservations, the Department of Tourism in ecotourism areas, and local government units in their respective cities and towns.

Fernando came under fire recently from environmentalists and other critics for his plan to uproot trees lining some thoroughfares, such as Julia Vargas in Pasig City, to make space for vehicles and improve traffic flow in Metro Manila.

The former Marikina City mayor, known for not mincing words and his controversial management style, said he would rather choose improved traffic flow than esthetics.

Critics said trees also help reduce pollution in the metropolis. Fernando argued that if Metro Manila’s sometimes agonizing traffic were moving faster, pollution would be less of a problem.

Besides, the uprooted trees would be replanted elsewhere, he said. Environmentalists pointed out the trees are so old that they would die if uprooted.

Pasig Mayor Soledad Eusebio also opposed Fernando’s plan to cut trees in her city. Fernando countered that the trees were on national roads and, hence, not under Eusebio’s jurisdiction.

Mrs. Arroyo appointed Fernando to the MMDA in 2001 and put him in charge of solving Metro Manila’s traffic problem.

She also took away the responsibility of managing the capital’s flood problem from the Department of Public Works and Highways and gave it to Fernando.

One of Fernando’s novel ideas to improve traffic was to close major intersections and reroute the flow of traffic to keep vehicles moving. MMDA traffic policemen have also become more visible — and in full uniform — ever since he took over.

He went head on against vendors when he had them cleared from sidewalks by spraying kerosene on their goods. He also tore down makeshift stores to make way for pedestrians.