TABUK CITY, Kalinga – It is appropriate and pertinent to consistently incorporate tree planting activities in events, like the Matagoan, given the rising number of ten-year-old trees being cut down in Kalinga to expand provincial roadways. As a possible activity for environmental development and restoration, this movement has a long history.
Considering the amount of reforestation initiatives at each event, a significant number of seedlings have already been planted around the city.
As part of the 21st Matagoan Festival, 790 different species of seedlings, woods, and food-bearing trees were replanted in an empty lot close to the public cemetery of Brgy. Tuga, Tabuk City, to commemorate the 72nd Founding Anniversary.
Planting was done with seedlings of the gmelina, mango, calamansi, fire tree, minti, dao, caballero, and rambutan. Some of the trees are not the typical city trees, which the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) was promoting as part of a campaign to introduce new varieties of plants in order to open up the market to new sorts of wood and fruit production.
CENRO, in coordination with the city government, and the city offices of the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, and the representatives and residents of Brgy. Tuga arranged the event.
Given the large number of seedlings, Sheila May Damiyay, Supervising Environmental Specialist at CENRO’s park and ecosystem division, expressed her gratitude for the many people who contributed to the success of their green and resilience-focused program.
“Be engaged in environmental conservation because it is our legacy that we can leave to the next generation; we may not be able to harvest it right now, but the next generation will,” Damiyay said in an interview.
“Alagaan mi dagituy nga mula nga impaay yu ditoy lugar mi ta ti kasta ket kasla al-alagaan mi met dagiti sumaruno pay nga aannak mi,” one resident said.
The barangay was holding the event for the first time, and they wanted to build on it by using the same theme and activities for their future events and programs.
While the participants were at the tree-planting site, some barangay officials showed them Tuga Lake, which they hope to develop and market as a tourist destination that will appeal to both residents and tourists.
By Rio Bassong and Dexie Basnic
