6,000 volunteers to plant 20,000 trees in 9 villages

6,000 volunteers to plant 20,000 trees in 9 villages
Written by: Fusilero , Kristianne
Friday, 23 October 2009

OVER 6,000 volunteers will plant trees and collect garbage tomorrow along the Talomo River for the Operation Kontra Baha, spanning 17 kilometers and nine barangays, in what organizers claimed is the biggest simultaneous effort of its kind.
Gregorio Sarmiento, Knights of Columbus Council 9573 grand knight and program organizer, told the Times in a phone interview that they hope to plant 20,000 malibago trees across barangays Tugok, Ula, Sto. Niño, Tacunan, Mintal, Catalunan Pequeño, Catalunan Grande, Talomo Proper and Los Amigos.

“In our survey last two months ago, the worst case scenario that would happen in our city in five years time is that we might have the same fate as Luzon’s experience of typhoon ‘Ondoy’. To minimize the damage to lives and properties, we should plant more trees,” he said.
He said the malibago was chosen because it is endemic to the area and has a very resilient characteristic. “It is fast-growing, too. Not just that, it does not have a commercial value compare to gemelina and to that there is lesser chances that it would be cut down,” he added.
The Knights of Columbus allocated P500,000 for the 5-year multi-sectoral Operation Kontra Baha that was launched last September 16.

Commander Felipe Macabbabad, deputy commander of Philippine Coast Guard-Southern Mindanao, said they decided participate in the tree-planting activity for the good of the people.
“As we focused marine environment, we need to get involve in this kind of activity. The situation of the river affects marine life. Our assistance is really needed,” he said.
Macabbabad also said their mandate is not only the protection of the marine life but the environment as a whole. “Since we are also public servants, our contribution is in exchange to our pay that came from the taxpayers,” he added.

Meanwhile, Sarmiento said part of the original plan was to relocate the informal settlers along the riverbanks in Talomo, Matina, and Davao River.
“Part of our policy recommendation is to remove the informal settlers because it was seen as a problem during our survey last two months ago as it dangerous to live near the riverbanks. However, it is beyond our capacity to implement it,” Sarmiento said.
The program’s major partners are the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture, Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao, Philippine Navy, Southeastern Mindanao Coast Guard District, Philippine Coast Guard, Davao City’s Liga ng mga Barangay, and the Mountaineering Federation of Southern Mindanao.