BAGUIO CITY – Councilor Betty Lourdes F. Tabanda wants each family in the City of Baguio to plant and nurture a family tree in their respective barangay or in any available space identified by the City Environment and Parks management Office (CEPMO) or the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
Tabanda’s proposed ordinance was approved on first reading during the Council’s Regular session. Once enacted, the ordinance will be known as “Family Tree Program of the City of Baguio.” The said program intends to “raise awareness on the importance of planting, caring, and nurturing a tree as an effort to save the environment.” It further aims to encourage young people to engage in environmental programs initiated by the barangay and the city.
The ordinance will task the CEPMO and the Office of the City Mayor, through the Special Services Division, to formulate the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). Once enacted, families who participated in the Family Program will be given priority in the barangay programs and benefits in order to encourage greater participation in the community. The Family Program will also be a requirement for the issuance of a Barangay Clearance.
Tabanda emphasized the indispensable role of trees in the environment.
“It breathes in carbon dioxide and releases oxygen, the gas that sustains life,” Tabanda wrote in her proposal.
“Human activities and natural causes make the trees disappear rapidly. They are taking a great toll on our survival. The tree planting program is one of the many approaches of the government which elicits greater participation from the private sector and the local government unit,” She added./Jordan G. Habbiling
