3,000 trees planted on first leg of Cebu City Cenro’s reforestation program

The Cebu City government’s tree planting activity at the Buhisan Eco Park on April 7, 2019. | Photo courtesy of the Cebu City Public Information Office

CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Cebu City Environment Office (Cenro) planted at least 3,000 trees in the first day of their reforestation program today, April 7.

According to Cenro Head Nida Cabrera, the 5-year reforestation program started in 2018 with a target of 400,000 trees by 2023 in the remaining 1,600-hectare forestland in Cebu City.

Cabrera said that on Saturday’s tree planting activity in Buhisan Eco Park and Toong, 800 volunteers came to help despite the downpour.

“Nauwanan gyod mi pero nilapas mi sa among expected nga volunteers. (We worked under the rain but we gathered more volunteers than expected),” said Cabrera.

The Cenro opened the activity for volunteers since they were targeting more trees to be planted this year. Previously, only the staff of Cenro conducted the activity.

“At least nauwanan ang among gitanom. (At least the rain watered the seedlings),” she added.

Read more: 10M seedlings ready for planting

In 2018, the Cenro planted 10,000 indigenous trees, and Cenro is targeting to plant more trees for 2019.

Cabrera said that the activity was aimed at enhancing the rivers in Cebu, especially since there had been less trees surrounding the rivers at present.

She said that more trees in the watersheds would mean more clean water in the dams because the trees would help filter the surface waters.

Cabrera said she was hoping that with the reforestation, the city would gain its wildlife back and the biodiversity with it.

More tree planting activities will be conducted on a monthly basis until the end of the year or until the seedlings run out./dbs