KIDAPAWAN CITY, Cotabato Province (PIA) — The City Government of Kidapawan launched on Tuesday the CANOPY ’25 Forest Growing, an extensive tree-growing project to protect and preserve the environment.
The project was launched as part of the Jubilee Celebration of the city in line with its 25th Charter Anniversary.
During the launch, the city government employees and stakeholders planted 270 iron bamboo trees and 50 Dao trees along the Sarayan River in Barangay Ginatilan.
“Our goal is to always conduct activities that the next generations will be reminded of and I think the best way to memorialize our 25th charter anniversary is to protect our environment, our home, by planting 2.5 million trees,” city mayor Atty. Jose Paolo Evangelista said.
The city government targets to plant 2.5 million trees in highland areas in the city in a span of one to two years.
It will be headed by the City Environment and Natural Resources Office, in partnership with the different stakeholders.
Aside from the iron bamboo trees and Dao trees, fruit-bearing trees and seedlings of coffee and cacao are also planned to be planted starting April this year, according to Edgar Paalan, the city environment and natural resources officer.
Evangelista urged the public to help in the implementation of the project which according to him will help address flooding incidents in the city.
“Let us protect our environment. Let us realize our intention to protect the environment by planting trees, by planting a forest in Kidapawan City,” the city mayor emphasized.
