Bayanihan tree-planting continues at Sapangbato Watershed
ANGELES CITY— The “Bayanihan sa Tubig-Kanlungan”, an annual tree-planting activity, is now in its second year and was held at the 527-hectare watershed in Barangay Sapangbato this morning, June 16.
The activity is part of an environmental campaign to reforest and save the Angeles City Watershed by City Mayor Carmelo”Pogi” Lazatin in partneship with the Abacan River and Angeles Watershed Advocacy Council, Inc (ARAW-ACI).
More than 2,000 tree seedlings of molave, narra and fruit-bearing trees were planted in cooperation with the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), Kapatirang Aetas ng Angeles-Porac para sa Kalikasan at Agrikultura (KAAPKA), ARAW-Youth, government agencies and the private sector.
The event were attended by Vice-Mayor Vicky Vega-Cabigting who represented Lazatin, ARAW-ACI officials led by President Renato “Abong” Tayag Jr, Vice-President Sonny Dobles and Executive Director Minerva Arceo, CENRO Archie Lazatin, Sitio Target Tribal Chieftain Fred Pan and government and private sector officials and employees.
Tayag said the Sapangbato watershed plays a vital role as it sustains and saves water for the city and other places.
He urged people to plant more trees as he said more private organizations and government agencies are now sponsoring parts of the watershed.
Vega-Cabigting shared that the Angeles City government supports and prioritizes the preservation project.
‘Tandaan po natin ang tubig kanlungan ay hindi lang dito, dalhin po natin sa puso natin, so we can share it with others also,” Vega-Cabigting said, encouraging other organizations and the youth to the same.
Participants include officers and staff of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA); the Clark International Airport (CIAC); the Subic-Clark Railway Project (SCRP); Porac Bank; the De La Salle Alumni Association-Pampanga; the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Angeles City; the Pampanga Press Club (PPC); TGP and the Layda Family; Barangay Sapangbato; the Balibago Waterworks; Kabataan para sa Kalikasan at Kaunlaran (KKK); and, the ARAW-ACI Arayat Chapter.
Tayag mentioned that more scheduled for tree-planting activities are coming and everyone can volunteer and adopt land for the advocacy.
*All photos by the author
