‘Pista Y Ang Kagueban’ targets Irawan watershed

The city government’s annual “Pista Y Ang Kagueban” slated June 29 will be targeting the planting of 20,000 Palawan endemic trees near the Campo Uno dam in Brgy. Irawan, the city’s watershed.

Now on its 29th year, the event which is also known as Feast of the Forest will focus on protecting the dam to prevent future water crisis, City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) chief Atty. Carlo Gomez said on Monday.

“What we need ay ‘yong mga puno na deeply-rooted kasi it will prevent erosion, tapos pangalawa it will hold water. Known naman ang ability ng mga deeply-rooted natin, they have the capacity to hold water. With the [water] crisis that we experienced this year, I think we need to replenish at saka i-beef up ‘yong ating mga plantations dyan sa Irawan sa watershed natin,” Gomez said.

Puerto Princesa was placed under a state of calamity as El Niño hit the province in summer. The situation forced the implementation of water rationing in many parts of Puerto Princesa City.

Gomez said endemic species such as Kamagong, Ipil, Tanabag, white and red Nato, and fruit trees that do not need large amounts of water in order to grow will compose the tree seedlings that will be planted in this year’s forest feast.

He also invited the public to join the annual tree planting activity, to be conducted across the river of Sitio Impapay, Brgy. Irawan.

“Tulung-tulong sana ‘yong mga tao para makapag-tanim tayo dito sa watershed area to at least minimize if not avoid ‘yong crisis natin last summer,” Gomez said.

Last year, the Pista Y Ang Kagueban planted 14,000 trees in Brgy. Montible with an 85 percent survival rate.