On tree planting - realization (nahigmata na)

At long last our government has realized the futility of its greening program after more than two decades (almost 3 or 30 years).

We have not seen any trees growing in our bald mountains (no forest cover) after billions upon billions of pesos were spent for tree planting activities.

No less than our president, Bongbong Marcos, took cognizance of this fact and recommended measures like hiring forest rangers to take care and protect the planted tree seedlings until they grow to become trees.

To recall, I have been telling our bureaucracy and the private sector for years that tree seedlings have no chance of growing because ruminants (goats, carabaos and cows) eat them before it can grow any further. After planting, nobody watches and takes care of the seedlings.

Read your newspapers, government agencies and local government officials are taking the cue from the president. Even the local government of Cebu City is asking a report on whereabouts of three million seedlings planted in a period of three years in its tree planting activities.

Soon the governor of Cebu will follow suit. Gwen Garcia, I’m sure, will ask the Provincial Environment and Natural Resource Office where the seedlings planted over the years are.

I am happy about this development. At long last they have come to their senses and stop the folly of planting trees without the corresponding care and protection. Please follow and share this report. More rains and flood are coming to denude and destroy whatever is your position now!

Ernesto C. Arcenas Sr.