5th Saleng Festival features fruit tree carts at Session Road, June 29
BAGUIO CITY – For the fifth Pine Tree/Saleng Festival and 11th eco-waste sustainability fair, as spearheaded by the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO), Sixteen (16) competing and Three (3) non-competing fruit tree carts parade down Session road at 9AM, June 29, Sunday.
According CEPMO head Atty. Rhenan Diwas, the competing carts are from CRAFARM c/o Freddie Ciano, Tiong San Supermarket and Department Store, James Habiling, Noel Buhong, Ken Dean Castiel’s Farm, Dina Agcaoili of Carmen Natures Garden, Tita Ringor of Sey Ang Farms, Joseph Leo Sr. of Kissing Clouds Agritourism, Arlene De La Pena Apilado; Marilyn Molitas of La Diyang Haven Agri-Tourism Farm and John Tayaban of La Diyang Haven Community, Cristina Molitas Tolero of Tuba Agritourism Rural Recreation Organization (TARO) and three local government unit agencies: the City Treasury Office (CTO), Baguio City Fire Station (BCFS) and Baguio City Police Office (BCPO).
An out-of-town winner in last year’s competition, the Tuba Central National High School joins again.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong, Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan, and the CEPMO, with their personnel shall parade their own carts.Fruit trees are the centerpiece of the one-square meter carts to parade down the city’s main thoroughfare, an advocacy to encourage Baguio residents to greenify even on limited spaces which according to CEPMO assistant head Engr. Marivic Empizo, would gently close the gap between city life and nature.The parade also promotes the importance of fruit trees in the ecosystem, encouraging artistic expression as the participants design and build carts using recycled materials.
Simultaneously, the ecological waste management and sustainability fair with the theme, “Ending Global Plastic Pollution.” happens at Session road and Malcolm Square, from 8 AM to 5 PM.Featured in the eco-waste fair are upcycled products, handicrafts, chalk art, information, education and advocacy campaigns, eco-friendly technologies, e-waste collection and buskers.To encourage more planting in private spaces, Urban Forestry Management Division head Floro Bastian and staff, as in the past Sundays of June, shall man a booth giving out free pine seedlings.
During the meeting which was presided by Health and Sanitation, Ecological and Environmental Protection Council Committee Chair Betty Lourdes Tabanda, she urged decluttering for a purpose, and the sharing/donation of gently used school uniforms, books and school supplies for the household and items donation booth.
Donations may also be appliances in good condition, educational and interactive toys, furniture and other items.
Fair goers and promenaders should also bring their own reusable bags, and avoid the use of single-use plastics as packing/wrapping materials. Indigenous, organic and recyclable materials may be used instead. – jgfianza
