At least 800 residents in Legazpi City coming from different sectors of the society joined the 15th “Lakad Tanim Para sa Puso” tree-planting program on Valentine’s Day.
The participants, who included city government employees, Philippine National Police personnel, and Sangguniang Kabataan and barangay officials, walked a one-kilometer stretch from the main road of Barangay San Francisco to the planting site in the same village.
They planted at least 3,500 assorted fruit-bearing tree seedlings as well as “kamagong” and “baligang” on public land.
The seedlings were provided by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-Bicol.
Mayor Noel Rosal said the annual tree planting activity spearheaded by the city government is part of their reforestation and environmental protection program aimed at preserving the natural resources “for a better tomorrow”.
“The ‘Lakad Tanim Para sa Puso’ was started in 2007 after Legazpi City was hit by super Typhoon Reming.”
“The ‘Lakad Tanim Para sa Puso’ was started in 2007 after Legazpi City was hit by super Typhoon Reming and after 15 years of the yearly tree planting activities, we have already recorded almost 100,000 different trees planted,” Rosal said.
“The planted trees during the previous years are now fully-grown and standing tall in different areas of the city.”
He said the planted trees during the previous years are now fully-grown and standing tall in different areas of the city — at the foot of Mayon Volcano, the top of Lignon Hill view deck, at the sanitary landfill in Barangay Banquerohan, and the golf course in Barangay Padang.
Rosal commended the participants, most of whom were regularly joining the city’s tree-planting activities, even as he noted that these trees would serve as the residents’ protection from the impact of natural hazards like floods and landslides.
Some eight years ago, the City Legislative Council adopted a resolution declaring February 14 every year, the feast day of St. Valentine, as Legazpi’s Arbor Day.
