City tree nurseries seen to house adequate seedlings
In addition to the presently used Busol and Botanical garden greenhouses; more tree nurseries and a tree laboratory shall be constructed to house and nurture various plant species.
According to City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) Forester Floro Bastian, an earlier constructed model tree nursery costing P1.9M could accommodate more than 8,000 tree seedlings. A new greenhouse being constructed alongside could house at least 10,000 seedlings, while more tree seedlings are at the Botanical greenhouse, he added.
Said facilities are expected to meet the tree seedling demand this coming June to September planting season, with some civil society groups scheduling with CEPMO head Atty. Rhenan Diwas their forthcoming environmental activities quoting figures of needed tree seedlings.
Bastian revealed that targeted pre-pandemic planting figures are at 6,000 annually; with years 2020 and 2021 spent by CEPMO personnel clearing planting areas and replacing dead or sick seedlings in city parks. For the year 2022, the target of 10,000 was surpassed when groups, agencies and offices offered time and effort in planting 2,000 more tree seedlings in areas identified by the CEPMO.
Benguet Pine (Pinus Kesiya), Narra, Weeping Willow/ bottle brush, cypress, coffee and several fruit bearing seedlings are being grown in the green houses; and provided for free to planters.
A tree laboratory to nurture indigenous and endangered species shall also be constructed; as there is a need to propagate seedless tree varieties in a scientific environment. Also to be provided is a lecture shed for students and interested individuals’ sharing and learning experiences.
The additional tree houses are part of Mayor Benjamin Magalong’s agenda for a livable city and green environment; with the green, green, green program of the national government cascaded to the local government units.
The green, green, green program of the Department of Budget Management (DBM) was launched in 2018 under former President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration to help make cities livable and sustainable. Pocket forest parks, arboretum are both recommended in urban areas with various works such as landscaping, installation of eco-friendly streetlight fixtures and shades; accessibility of the public through bike lanes, walk ways, and green infrastructure, as aid during the rainy season to lessen floodings. Said program is also known as the city public open spaces assistance program, with funding under the DBM. – JGFianza
