AC gov’t employees, volunteers plant 600 trees

Posted on March 19, 2021 by Admin

ANGELES CITY – As part of the celebration of Women’s Month, 113 female City Hall employees and volunteers planted 600 trees on March 19, 2021, at the Barangay Sapangbato Watershed.

Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. recognizes the significant role of women in the development of our society, particularly in the protection and the preservation of the environment.

“Kinikilala natin ang mahalagang kontribusyon ng ating mga kababaihan sa pag-unlad ng ating lipunan, lalo na sa pangangalaga ng kalikasan,” Lazatin said.

Angeles City Vice Mayor Vicky Vega-Cabigting, Mayor Lazatin’s Chief Adviser and Tactician IC Calaguas, and Executive Assistant IV Reina Manuel spearheaded the tree planting activity, with members of the Gender and Development (GAD) Office headed by Mina Cabiles, Angeles City Economic Development and Investment Promotions Office (ACEDIPO) led by Irish Bonus Llego, Angeles City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (ACDRRMO) headed by Rudy Simeon, Mayor’s Office Records headed by Jermaine Jam Aguila, Angeles City Tourism Office (ACTO) led by Anneleen Antonio-Sugui, Information Communication Technology Division (ICTD) led by Michael Lising, Environment Management Office headed by Engineer Don Dizon, City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) led by Archie Lazatin, and Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC).

Also present during the said activity were members of the Lesbian, Gay Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Plus (LGBTQ+) community headed by Jhune Angeles, and the President and Vice President of the Abacan River Angeles Watershed Advocacy Council Inc, (ARAW-ACI) Renato “Abong” Tayag, and Sonny Dobles.

Meanwhile, Calaguas shared that the tree planting activity is also in line with the ongoing programs of the city government for the environment, especially in the rehabilitation of the Sapangbato Watershed.

“Bawat punong itinanim ngayong araw, malaki ang maitutulong sa ginagawa nating programa para sa Sapangbato Watershed. Para din ito sa kinabukasan ng lahat ng Angelenos, para maseguro na hindi tayo magkakaroon ng water shortage sa siyudad,” Calaguas shared.

It can be recalled that in January of this year, Mayor Lazatin initiated a strong stand in protecting the 560 hectare Sapangbato watershed, by asking the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) to entrust the city the management of the former military reservation land so it ca be developed into a protected forest park and watershed.

Since he won the mayoral election in 2019, Mayor Lazatin and ARAW-ACI’s Tayag have already started discussing shared goals of protecting Angeles City’s water sources and reservoirs, including the rehabilitation of the Sapangbato Watershed.

The group planted 600 trees including narra, molave, dau, poay and other fruit bearing trees, donated by the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) and CENRO.

In recognition of their hard work for the day, the participants took home a ‘tree certificate’ and Beautederm products including soap, skin soothing oil, balm, and Belle Powder.

As part of the city's safety and health protocols against COVID-19, all the participants in the tree planting activity underwent rapid anti gen testing a day before the event,and were all declared negative.

All health protocols were observed like social distancing and wearing face mask and face shield.