The past and present Pista Y Ang Cagueban (PYAC) has planted more than 2 million trees in various sites within the city since it started in 1991.
Mayor Lucilo R. Bayron said that since the start of PYAC some 29 years ago it has planted a total of 2 million trees including that in Irawan watershed, the source of safe and potable water in the city.
The PYAC started as an activity of the then Palawan Integrated Agricultural Development Project (PIADP) a project of the Department of Agriculture (DA).
He emphasized the role of the trees that form part of the forest in providing oxygen, sequestering carbon dioxide and other pollutants, and as habitat to various wildlife including birds and insects.
Mayor Bayron further said that some other places might have vanished forest but Puerto Princesa will still have, because it institutionalize an annual biggest tree planting event which is PYAC.
“Ubos na ang gubat sa ibang lugar pero dito sa atin ay meron pang matitira dahil tayo ay totoo at tunay na maka-kalikasan,” he said.
“Lahat ay naging matagumpay ang PYAC yun ay dahil sa pakiisa ng lahat ng mamamayan ng Puerto Princesa. Pinaabot ko po ang aking pasasalamat. Tinataya pong nakapagtanim tayo ng mahigit 2 milyong puno sa lahat ng PYAC. Itongga puno na ito ay pinagsamang bumubuo ng ating cagueban, ng ating kagubatan,” Mayor Bayron further said.
Congressman Gil Acosta Jr. said that he is excited everytime there are PYAC as it bring him to his unforgettable memories during his younger years.