The City Government of Puerto Princesa emphasized the need to deal with the diminishing green spaces in urban areas by planting more trees to combat the effects of rising temperatures and climate change.
Mayor Lucilo R. Bayron underscores the need to deal with “urban heat island” in urban areas therefore he is confident that Pista Y Ang Cagueban’s new version that focuses within the city’s urban area will succeed.
“Kung magandang maganda ang magiging resulta nito, dapat ituloy natin dito sa urban area hangga’t may mataniman,” he announced.
He explained that in the coming PYAC, they will consider urban areas as planting sites in an effort to address urban heat and high temperatures within the city center. Urban Heat Island (UHI) occur when cities replace natural land cover with dense concentrations of pavement, buildings, and other surfaces that absorb and retain heat. It results to increase in energy costs specifically for air conditioning, air pollution levels, and heat-related illness.
Congressman Edward S. Hagedorn was impressed with PYAC’s new approach. He said that when he was still the City Mayor, they only focused then in planting trees in rural areas.
“Napakaganda ng naisip ni Mayor Bayron itong sa urban planting. Hindi ko naisip nung panahon ko eh, kasi dun tayo nakatutok sa bundok. Ito naman ang talaga ang nag absorb ng init,” Congressman Hagedorn said.
On April 2023, a heat index of 43 degrees Celsius was recorded in Puerto Princesa City.
Atty. Carlo B. Gomez, City Environment and Natural Resources Officer, said that they chose native trees and fruit trees, because it will give not only fruits to harvest, but other ecosystem services that they provide to the environment.
“Reason bakit sinamahan natin ng fruit trees kasi nga ang settings natin ay nasa urban ibig sabihin ay sa kabayananan. Tinanim natin para magkaroon din ng interest yung ating mga eskwelahan. Yung fruit trees kasi nga paglumaki sya hindi lang basta basta yung ecosystem benefit nung puno ang matatanggap nila. Kundi meron ding prutas na aanihin balang araw ng ating mga estudyante at administration,” he added.
Atty. Carlo Gomez said that their office will hire 10 personnel to monitor the newly planted trees within 6 months.
“E-ensure natin ang survivality ng ating itinanim kasi napaka importante ng maintenance,” he said.
He said that as part of the City’s urban forestry program they intend to include road’s center island, baywalk, Plaza Cuartel and other open spaces and public parks within the city’s urban areas.
Discussion about this post