Pilimania’s 30,000 trees

Bicol Mail

NAGA’s First Lady Farah Bongat

Hundreds of small and micro-entrepreneurs (SMEs) and subdivision developers are among the large sectors taking the forefront in the citywide planting of pili saplings under the city government’s Greening Environmental Protection Entrepreneurship Tourism (GrEET) project.

Donning the catchphrase ‘Pilimania Extreme’ as it enters its second year in June, this year, in time for the celebration of the 64th Naga City Charter Anniversary, the project will lead a citywide planting of 15,000 pili seedlings until December, this year.  The figure intends to overshoot the target of 30,000 trees.

Last year, the project planted 20,875 seedlings in agricultural and residential zones of the city’s 27 barangays, including open spaces in urban poor sites, housing subdivisions, and vacant private and public school lots.

Spearheading the multi-sector movement is First Lady Farah R. Bongat, Pilimania Executive Committee chairperson, along with the youth sector, government workers and various community groups.

Under the project’s ‘extreme’ plan, the city aims to plant 5,000 pili seedlings on June 14 to 17, this year, and 10,000 more in July to December 2012.

The mass planting, which will be participated in by schools and universities and housing developers of Camella, St. Jude, Avida, and Haciendas de Naga, will be conducted along Pacol and Panicuason road, Sagop Creek, and Naga View Creek and other designated Pili Green Spots in the city.

Other participants: NSTP students from Colleges and universities, City Hall personnel, Philippine Army soldiers belonging to 9th ID, BANKAT Federation, Lakas ng Kababaihan, Ladies in Green, PAMET, NCRGE, Inter-Collegiate Basketball League, Senior Citizens, Naga City Council for Women and residents of Maogma Village.

Participating business establishments and media outfits finance the production of advertisements and activity materials such as tarpaulins and t-shirts, and cosponsor events like the First Pilimania Extreme Plant Run and the Extreme Jam Concert during the charter anniversary celebration.  The run competition will be held in CBD II and Naga City Coliseum.

Ms. Bongat said Pilimania movement aims to improve the city’s verdant outlook while promoting the socio-economic agenda of the local government thru the establishment of additional sources of income for the constituents.

Pili trees improve air-shed quality as they lessen the damaging effects of carbon monoxide since the plant carries a high carbon absorption rate.  As a livelihood product, pili nut is regarded as a fast-growing delicacy among domestic and foreign tourists and as a potential multi-million industry under the city’s GrOW Negosyo project.

Pili trees planted last year posted a mortality rate of 5.6%.  There are 22, 700 pili seedlings available at present in the city’s seedbank.

Mike Rico, Pilimania project officer, said the June-December activity will officially kickoff on June 13 through a motorcade around the city’s major thoroughfares.

He said:  “Pilimania Extreme will reel off with the holding of City Charter Fair on June 13; Pilimania Charter Fair (GrOW Negosyo Program), June 14-18; Pili Consolidator Program, June 15; Pilimania Extreme Hataw Exercises, Naga City Coliseum, June 17; Pilimania Theme Park groundbreaking ceremonies, June 17; Pilimania GrEET jam: Rock Concert and Beer Plaza, June 17; Pilimania Extreme Sports Fair, June 17; 8th Naga City Charter Intercollegiate League, June-May; and Establishment of Pilimania Database and Inventory, May-December 2012; and Institutionalization of protected Pili Green Spots, May-August;