Tree cart contest winners bared
Two academic institutions and a garden copped the awards for the tree cart parade and exhibit as part of the 2022 Saleng Tree Festival.
The University of the Cordilleras (UC) bagged the top prize of P25,000; Zaparita gardens got second place with P18,750 as cash incentive while Benguet State University (BSU) is third place with a cash prize of P12,500.
The second tree cart contest, a takeoff from last year’s activities, had innovations, such as the upcycled materials to build the movable structure. With the concept from Germany, the carts which contain a potted tree; are gathered in an open space instantly offering shade, greenery and a view pleasing to the sight.
In Baguio, the tree carts were paraded down Session road and gathered at the People’s park for a week. Judges; Mrs. Arlene Magalong, Engr. Petra Cadawan, Mr. Rej Winlove Bungabong had enough time to see details of the cart, and a healthy Carbon-dioxide absorbing tree for the central business district.
The Saleng festival or feast for the trees was institutionalized through City Ordinance 02, Series of 2022, and implemented by the CEPMO after a public consultation. The annual celebration which includes tree planting and the accomplishment of other environment-friendly activities from June to September, conforms with the Baguio City Environmental Code.
The environmental program encourages Baguio citizens to be proactive partners of the city government for an urban stewardship management program, building a community of urban trees and forests. Activities were then slated for the celebration.
As scheduled, an Information and Education Campaign (IEC) with an invitation for 5,000 from the academe, business sector, national and local government offices, barangays, Non-government Organizations, and other offices run from June to September. A fun run went on in the past months, as with the photography contest, while other activities to go on are the Glee Club choral competition, Trash to Treasure Crafts, Forest products week, and Green business expo.
Awards await winners of the different contest during the closing program in September, it was announced from CEPMO Administrative Officer Sandra Almag. The Green Thumb awards also for the active partners and stakeholders for the city’s environmental protection and conservation shall be given out during the closing week. The tree festival embraces the 2022 world environmental day theme, “Only One Earth.” – Julie G. Fianza
