Thousands of residents of Puerto Princesa City gathered again this morning to plant trees as part of the 33rd anniversary celebration of Pista Y’ Ang Cagueban held in Barangay Montible.
The City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) prepared more than 10,000 seedlings of native and some endemic tree species to be planted on 10 hectares of land.
Mayor Lucilo Bayron ordered CENRO to make sure all seedlings are planted and properly cared for to achieve a high survival rate.
“Binigyan ko ng kautusan ang City ENRO na lahat ng maiiwan na forest trees at food trees na hindi maitatanim sa umagang ito, ay uubusin nilang maitanim ‘yan,” he said.
“At ‘yung mga hindi maiiwasan na matapakan o hindi maayos na naitanim ay uulitan nila at palitan para tumaas ang ating survival rate dito sa ating pagtatanim sa Pista Y’ Ang Cagueban,” Bayron said in his message.
He also thanked those who attended this year for their continued support over the past 33 years.
“Napakalaki ng paghanga ko sa mga mamamayan ng lungsod ng Puerto Princesa dahil totoo at tunay na maka-kalikasan ang mga kababayan nating taga Puerto Princesa,” he added.
The mayor explained that the yearly tree planting has a big impact on the environment and benefits all residents, especially the youth.
“Nakikita ko na ito ay magpapatuloy sa mahabang panahon at ito ang kontribusyon ng lungsod ng Puerto Princesa para pangkontra sa climate change. Ito pa namang lungsod ng Puerto Princesa at lalawigan ng Palawan ay kilala na may pinakamayamang biodiversity sa buong bansang Pilipinas,” the mayor said.
Since it began in 1991 during the term of the late Mayor Edward Hagedorn, Pista Y’ Ang Cagueban has planted more than 2.6 million tree seedlings on over 369 hectares of land.
Last year, 10,849 seedlings were planted with an 87% survival rate.
