ILOILO City – The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) junked the proposed ordinance which aims to promote and protect native tree species.
During Wednesday’s regular session, none of the members of the city council voted for the passage on second and final reading of the proposed measure by Councilor Sedfrey Cabaluna entitled, “An Ordinance Requiring the Protection and Promotion of Native Tree Species in Iloilo City and for Other Purposes.”
Councilor Frances Grace Parcon-Torres cited the apparent duplication of the proposed ordinance to the existing City Urban Agriculture Ordinance which institutionalizes urban farming and gardening in the city.
She said the functions of the Native Tree Council under the proposed measure are primarily the same to that of the City Urban Agriculture Council (CUAC) created under the existing ordinance.
One of the functions of the CUAC is to lead the institutionalization of applicable greenhouses, communal gardens, and street gardens in the metropolis.
She further cited that the existing ordinance also provides tree parks and park gardens which include planting of fruit-bearing and endemic trees and the likes, and requires participation of the barangays.
“That is my only concern, considering that this existing ordinance is barely new, ara pa lang ta sa process of implementation and it will create confusion sa part sang mga pumoluyo and also sa mga implementing agencies,” the lady councilor said.
However, Cabaluna rebutted that while there may be a general ordinance that appears to be of the same direction as to the proposed, he stressed that this particular proposed ordinance is to highlight the profiling, conservation and protection of native trees as well as awareness.
“Basically, the main difference is the highlight of the importance of our native trees and the importance of knowing that exotic tree species can be invasive in our environment,” he said.
Councilor Romel Duron expressed his readiness to support the ordinance if Cabaluna provides the SP with a list of native trees in Iloilo.
Councilor Ely Estante, for his part, raised that the proposed ordinance has no penal provision and suggested that instead of ordinance, a resolution will do.
“Considering that there is no penalty… there is no tooth. Why not make it a resolution,” he said.
Councilors Johnny Young and Candice Magdalane Tupas, meanwhile, questioned the portion of the ordinance on the regulation of indiscriminate cutting and harvesting of native tree species without a clearance from the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO).
Tupas stressed the national government agencies which cut trees and do not ask permission from the local government unit.
The proposed “Native Tree Act of Iloilo”, which is a collaboration between the office of Cabaluna and the law students of the University of San Agustin, namely, Junaid Dadayan and Raimer Gel Caspillo, pushes the Iloilo City government and its people to undertake the protection and promotion of native tree species to develop sustainable communities and conserve the indigenous biodiversity.
It is also under the premise that the native tree species are at risk due to rapid urbanization and the popularity of exotic tree species which alter the ecological equilibrium and threaten the indigenous biodiversity.
It stressed that the utilization of native tree species is more suitable for greening programs and urban planning due to their adaptability to the tropical climate, critical role in the reinvigoration of forest habitats, and viability in the promotion for sustainable communities.
In an interview with the City Hall press after the session, Cabaluna was emotional over the voting turnout. He vowed to continue advocating for the protection and promotion of native trees by working with like-minded institutions./PN
