ILOILO – The 23rd Piyesta sa Kakahuyan of the provincial government, together with Barotac Viejo local government unit (LGU), was considered a success.
Approximately 1,200 seedlings of forest and fruit-bearing trees were planted in Sitio Nagpana, Barangay Lipata, Barotac Viejo, through the efforts of more than 5,000 volunteers on Saturday morning, Sept. 24.
A variety of seedlings such as jackfruit, coffee, cacao, narra, ipil, toog, kamagong, Iloilo tree, among others were planted.
The activity was headed by Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. himself, with Vice Gov. Christine Garin, First District Board member Marcelo Valentine Serag, and Mayor Neilo “Bongbong” Tupas.
Mitzi Peñaflorida, senior environmental management specialist of the Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office (PGENRO), said they selected Barangay Lipata as the venue for the tree planting because the provincial government wants to promote the Sloping Agricultural Land Technology (SALT) for Agriculture and Public Safety.
SALT is Defensor’s brainchild program that aims to minimize flooding and erosion in northern Iloilo through contour farming, wherein fruit and forest trees are planted on slopes where corn is also planted.
Its purpose is to have trees on the mountains that help absorb water for a more gradual downstream flow during heavy rains.
“Gina-promote naton ang SALT kon diin bala naga-mais ang aton mga farmers sa banglid. Didto kita matanum sa along the contour,” said Peñaflorida.
PGENRO personnel will conduct a three-month monitoring in areas where seedlings are planted to evaluate their survival growth rate.
Here, Peñaflorida enjoined everyone to plant, especially fruit-bearing trees, which not only help with the environment but could also provide food.
“Importante nga magtanum sang trees kay amat-amat na kalbo ang bukid kag pabag-o bag-o ang klima kag para ma-prevent man ang erosion kag pagbaha downstream,” she added.
The tree planting event last Sept. 24 was province-wide, participated by all 42 towns and one component city, wherein they also planted seedlings in their respective areas./PN
