As the Saleng Festival enters its second month this July, tree-planting activities continue to replenish the Busol and Buyog watersheds, parks, and other available areas in the city’s barangays using free seedlings from the city’s nurseries.

This was reported by Forester Floro Bastian to City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) Head Atty. Rhenan Diwas and Assistant Head Engr. Marivic Empizo. Tree planters are assisted and guided by personnel from the CEPMO Urban Forestry Management Division.

On June 28, around 60 participants, led by Bakakeng Central Kagawad Christian Lingayo, planted 500 Benguet Pine and Alnus seedlings. On June 30, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) scholars from Saint Louis University (SLU) planted 20 Benguet Pine seedlings at the Buyog Watershed.

On July 3, officers of the Baguio City Hall Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative, led by organization president Gaudencio Jimenez Gonzales, planted 50 Benguet Pine seedlings at the Arboretum. Gonzales said their contribution to the environment, though modest, would benefit future generations.

Several groups and organizations also marked Filipino-American Friendship Day on July 4 through tree-planting activities. These included the Office of the Committee on Education and Creativity, ICT, Culture, and Historical Research, chaired by Councilor Vladimir Cayabas, which planted 80 Benguet Pine seedlings at Wright Park; the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, led by Scout Leader Ramon Jacinto, which planted 200 seedlings at the Busol Watershed; the Baguio City Pines Lions Club, which planted 60 Benguet Pine seedlings at the Tower of Peace; and Pines Progressive Credit, which planted 100 pine seedlings at the Busol Watershed.

On July 5, ORNAP-CAR and the Saint Louis University School of Nursing, Allied Health and Biological Sciences (SONAHBS) planted 150 Benguet Pine seedlings at Wright Park. Gabriela Silang, led by Orlando Basongit, planted 100 seedlings at Tiptop on July 7, while seven TES grant scholars planted three Benguet Pine seedlings at the Arboretum. On July 9, Veronica Castro of North Central Aurora Hill planted 15 fruit-bearing trees at the Busol Watershed.

The following groups are scheduled to conduct tree planting activities in the coming days:

Honeymoon-Holyghost Barangays — 20 Benguet Pine and 20 Alnus seedlings at the Busol Watershed on July 13; AJO 101 Management — 60 Benguet Pine seedlings at South Drive on July 17; Pines International Academy at Forbes Park-South Drive and Empower Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountancy — both on July 18; Health Services Office personnel — July 24; Upper QM Barangay — July 25; Hotel Grande — 30 Benguet Pine seedlings at Forbes Park-BENECO on August 4; The Shared Table — 40 Benguet Pine seedlings at the Busol Watershed on August 9; Treasure Link Cooperative Society — Forbes Park-South Drive on August 14; CEPMO Parks — 300 Red Bottle Brush seedlings at Burnham Park; Homeschool Global Baguio-Benguet; University of the Cordilleras Emergency Response Volunteers Higher Education Institution — 100 seedlings at Forbes Park; South Drive Barangay — 100 tree seedlings within its area of responsibility; Fort del Pilar — 100 assorted tree seedlings within its area of responsibility; and Upper Rock Quarry Barangay.

Meanwhile, 138 “Love Trees” were planted from June to July 9 by applicants complying with the tree planting requirement for marriage contract applications. According to Lady Forester June Lyn Velasco, these were planted along Kisad Road, City Hall Parks, and Children’s Park.

Trees serve as natural noise barriers, help prevent soil erosion, purify the air by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen, provide habitats for diverse wildlife, and offer shelter, food, and medicinal resources for communities.

Individuals, organizations, and agencies interested in participating in the city’s tree planting program may schedule activities and reserve seedlings by visiting the CEPMO office at the right wing, road level, of City Hall, and coordinating with Atty. Diwas, Engr. Empizo, or Foresters Bastian and Velasco.

The city’s tree planting season runs until September, while tree care and maintenance continue throughout the year.- jgfianza, with reports from the Urban Forestry Management Division, CEPMO