:: Guv to Launch Provincewide Tree-Planting :: (821 times read)
Secretary Michael Defensor of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and five other Secretaries are expected to be in the Province for the Environment Day Celebration and Reforestation Summit on June 5, 2005 in Sitio Binabaye, Cambaol, Alicia, Bohol.
One of the agenda of the summit is the synchronized province-wide tree planting which will kick-off in Alicia. Gov. Erico B. Aumentado will spearhead the tree-planting program in an effort to circumvent further havoc wrought by the denudation of our forests and watershed areas.
The eastern part of the province, where most of the agricultural lands are located, has been experiencing severe droughts since last year due to the sparseness of rainfall in the area. Engr. Renato C. Villaber, Deputy Head of the Bohol Environmental Management Office (BEMO) disclosed in an interview that this is due in part to the vanishing trees allowing no more forest cover where rain clouds are supposed to condense.
According to Provincial Board Member Hon. Godofreda O. Tirol, Chairman of the SP Committee on Environment, the 300 hectare bare land in Cambaol, Alicia will be replanted with a variety of trees. It is the thrust of the Provincial Government that the reforestation will have biodiversity, in that it can support diverse animals and other creatures, making it environment friendly. She pointed out that planting only with Gemelina trees cannot be considered as environmentally sound as the trees do not have other uses aside from lumber. More than 200 seedlings are slated to be planted during the ceremonial tree planting.
The tree planting will be a continuing program and it will be family-based in order for the after-care to be easier. Planting a tree is one thing and making it grow and prosper is another. The other LGUs will have the option to choose the site of the reforestation in their localities according to zoning.
Initially, the reforestation, a brainchild of Gov. Aumentado, will take place in the Carood Watershed Areas, namely, Alicia, Ubay, Pilar, Mabini, Guindulman and Candijay. The summit will jumpstart a province-wide tree-planting that would involve all municipalities, national and provincial Offices, NGOs, the private sector, schools and the church beginning June 6, 2005.
A caravan from Tagbilaran via Tubigon-Talibon-Ubay-Alicia will mark the start of the celebration and the summit. It will be participated in by different agencies like DENR, BEMO, Environmental Legal Assistance Center (ELAC), BANGON, Provincial Planning and Development Office, among others. The renewal of commitment of the Bohol Covenant for Sustainable Development will be the highlight of the affair. Board Member Godofreda O. Tirol will introduce Secretary Defensor as the Keynote Speaker. The affair will be hosted by LGU – Alicia headed by Mayor Bienvenido C. Molina, Jr.
