QC to plant 100 M trees

MANILA, Philippines - The Quezon City government is set to buy as many as 100 million seedlings of endemic tree species in a bid to save and protect the environment, officials said yesterday.

The city’s parks development and administration department, headed by engineer Zaldy de la Rosa, is studying areas where endemic trees can be best planted in the city.

Mayor Herbert Bautista said leisure spots and sidewalks of Tomas Morato and other wide streets can be developed as linear gardens. The tree planting will be done over 10 years, starting this year, he said.

“I want endemic trees to be planted at many places and on the center islands and sidewalks of different areas in Quezon City. I want it color-coordinated, which is to be determined by zones,” he said.

Bautista said the move will help protect the people from future calamities such as floods.

“Metro cities are experiencing deep floodwaters due to denuded forests, thus it’s high time to address this concern by planting trees,” he said.

The mayor also urged private sectors and companies to include tree planting in their corporate social responsibility programs.