Pasig City government officials and volunteers planted on Sunday, July 2, 450 seedlings at the Maybunga Rainforest Park to give back to the environment that has sustained the city and Pasigueños for 450 years. The activity was done to celebrate the city's 450th founding anniversary. PASIG PIO / MANILA BULLETIN
The 450 trees were added to the current 2,580 trees that have been planted within the Maybunga Rainforest Park for 2023, according to the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO)'s tree inventory and biodiversity assessment. The tree planting activity was conducted from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, led by Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, Vice Mayor Robert "Dodot" Jaworski Jr. members of the 11th City Council, CENRO Head Alendri Angeles, and officers from the Maybunga Rainforest Park. Cacao trees and other fruit-bearing and ornamental trees were planted in the program, joined by volunteers and officials from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasig, Rover Scout Pasig Counil, civil society organizations (CSOs), and the private sector. As the city celebrated its 450th founding anniversary, Sotto asked the public to not forget their environment which has been the home of Pasig for 450 years. He lamented how, throughout history, green spaces in Pasig were gradually consumed by concrete and industrial development, saying 95 percent of the city has been built up. He admitted that the layout of the city itself was not planned with a "sustainable mindset." PASIG PIO / MANILA BULLETIN Maybunga Rainforest Park is the “last lung” of Pasig, Sotto remarked. "Kailangan kung may mga natitira tayong ganitong open spaces, alagaan na po natin. Huwag natin hayaan na lumit o maubos pa siya (If we have open spaces [like the rainforest], we need to take care of them. Let's not let them become smaller or disappear)," he said. Vice Mayor Jaworski said the tree planting “signifies the intent of the local government to 'reap what we sow’ now as a city.” “Let's turn it into a habit to care for our environment, not just for our sake but for the next generation," said Councilor Kiko Rustia, the chairperson of the Committee on Environment. PASIG PIO / MANILA BULLETIN
The Maybunga Rainforest Park was declared as a “permanent park and protected conservation area” by the local government through Ordinance No. 57, series of 2022. Part of their rehabilitation operations for the rainforest include converting more of the concrete portions into grasslands, in order to cultivate the ecosystem of the park. With their persistent efforts, the carbon storage of the rainforest is increasing, according to a study of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Government officials say that this will help the city combat the effects of global warming.