2K ‘patriotic’ trees to be planted near Taal Lake

ANTIPOLO City, March 17, 2012—About 2,000 trees are to be planted as part of the campaign of Bayan Muna Parylist to save the famous Taal Lake in Batangas and to teach residents surrounding the lake to fight climate change by preserving and defending the environment, which is their only source of living.

In a statement, Bayan Muna Rep. Teodoro “Teddy” Casiño said the 2,000 ‘patriotic trees’ would be the living monuments of the people’s fight against the privatization of the lake, as well as to foster environmental awareness among the inhabitants of the six barangays (villages) in Tanauan City.

“We are optimistic that with this joint undertaking with the City Government of Tanauan, the tree planting project along the lakeshore of Taal we can further enhance the formation of positive values among concerned communities and other project partners through shared responsibilities in sustainable management of the easement zone,” said Casiño.

The trees to be planted are narra (Pterocarpus indicus), a type of hardwood that is known as the Philippines’ national tree; mahogany (Shorea almon), which is under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species; alibangbang (Bauhinia monandra Kurz or the pink butterfly tree); caballero (Caesalpinia pulcherrinma); and fire tree (Morella faya).

The project was co-sponsored by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Region IV-A and the Tanauan City Government, represented by Honorable Mayor Sonia Torres and was supported by the the Sangguniang Panglunsod ng Tanauan, Sangguniang Barangay of Ambulong, Banadero, Gonzales, Wawa and Boot, Janopol Oriental Farmers Association, Banadero Farmers Association, Wawa National High School, Boot National High School, Tanauan School of Fisheries, 727 Riders, Log-Out Riders, Bikers of Tanauan, Kabalikat Civicom, Generation for Christ, the Samahan ng mga Mangingisda ng Tanauan and Tanauan local police.

Meanwhile, Bayan Muna is also planning to re-forest the denuded watershed of Laguna Lake and Talim Island, a small island within the bay.

Casino said that they are also involve in the reforestation of mangroves along the shores of Manila Bay, as proposed by the fisherfolk group, Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya). [Noel Sales Barcelona/CBCPNews]