SALENG FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES ON
BAGUIO CITY – (11 June 2021) – The community comes together for programs in revitalizing the environment, as part of the Saleng festival and Environment month celebration, and in consonance with the theme, “Restoring our eco-system together.”
Caring for the environment is everyone’s utmost concern, Mayor Benjamin Magalong pointed out during the roll-out of environment month celebration calendar of activities. The investment redounds to the next generation’s breathable air, potable water and clean and comfortable environment, hesaid.
The celebration is also in compliance to the council-authored environment code where the months of June up to September is tree planting season. Local Government Units are also mandated to support events for the protection, preservation and rehabilitation of forests.
In an administrative order issued by the mayor, Session road is closed on June 13 and 27 for the display and sale of upcycled/recycled materials, potted and fruit bearing trees, potted bamboos, cut flowers and floral arrangements and ornamentals in selected areas.
On June 14, a memorandum of Agreement (MOA) shall be signed as to the joint project of the city and a beetle trap project of the Watershed and Water Research Development and Extension Center (WWRDEC) – Ecosystem Research and Development Bureau in Los Banos approving the GIS-based detection of potential of bark beetles in disturbed and undisturbed pine forests in the Baguio-Benguet area. Integrated Pest Management development in forest plantations in watersheds of Regions 1, 2, 3 and CAR is also looked into.
On June 20, at least fifteen tree carts parades from upper Session road down to the People’s park where they are displayed, for foliage and shade. A project of the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO), the project is patterned from a city of Germany where tree saplings are displayed and later planted at a designated area. A tree of life shall also be unveiled on the same date.
On June 17, Bonsai cultivators, carers and interested individuals get together at the proposed Bonsai park at the Kennon road view deck. The specially-grown plants are displayed at the People’s Park on June 16, 17 and 18, CEPMO forester Floro Bastian said. The activity is part of World Environment Day to combat desertification and drought, he added, as pine saplings shall also be planted at the Kennon road view deck.
On June 25, being National Arbor Day, barangays with water sheds are venues for tree planting; while elder berry trees are planted at the Arboretum along Leonard Wood road; and bamboo propagules in portions of Balili river.
On June 29, Jacaranda saplings are planted at Bayan Park, Aurora Hill.
To cap the month, a community tree planting to reforest the Mt. Sto. Tomas reservoir happens on June 30, in consonance with the urban forest master plan done by CEPMO head Atty. Rhenan Diwas.
A coordinated Baguio-La Trinidad-Itogon-Sablan-Tuba-Tublay (BLISTT) anti-smoke belching task force operations is done in various places for the whole month of June, while environment-caring activities are done from June to September. Tree-planting, cell phone photography contest and ring weeding shall be done at the planting sites.
A clean-up drive along the Sagudin Balili river is also slated up to September, and awards dubbed as the Green Thumb Awards shall be handed over to environmentalists, urban forest caretakers and nurturers on Sept. 27. Julie G. Fianza with reports from the CEPMO
