Philippines
National
DENR to plant Forest trees, bamboo saplings along Baseco beach area
DENR to plant Forest trees, bamboo saplings along Baseco beach area
More beach-type forest trees and bamboo saplings will be planted at the Baseco in Tondo, Manila this year as part of the rehabilitation of the area and contribute to efforts in cleaning the Manila Bay.
Department of Environment and Natural Resources-National Capital Region (DENR-NCR) Regional Executive Director Jacqueline Caancan led last Oct. 1 the sourcing of bamboo saplings from the DENR-Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) office in Los Baños, Laguna, which they will use for the tree-planting project in Baseco.
ERDB Director Henry Adornado committed to provide around 300 saplings, consisting of three species, Kauyang Tinik (Bambusa blumeana), Kauayang Kiling (Bambusa vulgaria), and Bayog (Bambusa meriliana).
According to Arturo Calderon, chief of the Production Forest Management Section of the DENR-NCR, tree-planting in Baseco is a continuous program of the department to rehabilitate the Manila Bay. "We have initially planted 200 bamboo seedlings from DENR-Region 4A early this year," he said in a phone interview.
The tree planting project in Baseco and other parts of Manila has also the support of Manila Mayor Francisco Domagoso for the city's urban greening plan.
"(Manila) Mayor Isko (Moreno) has also suggested planting bamboo along stream banks. We are now sourcing out bamboo saplings that will be planted along the reclaimed easements in Manila," Calderon cited.
Aside from planting bamboo, Calderon said the DENR-NCR will be planting at least 100 full-size beach forest trees in Baseco this year.
"These are full size, which are 8 to 10 feet in height, of beach-type forest tree species, like Talisay, Botong, Bitaog, and Bani," he pointed out.
Calderon said mangroves are also planted inside the lagoon in Baseco area to help improve water quality and contribute to efforts in cleaning and rehabilitating the Manila Bay.
Mangroves also serve as the first line of defense against storm surges, attract migratory birds, and beautify the area, he added. It also improves the productivity of marine life, which serves as a natural habitat for fishes.
In January 2020, DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu inaugurated the rehabilitated Baseco boardwalk. The facility is located at the Mangrove Forest Nursery Operations and Livelihood Center fronting the Baseco Beach area.
The rehabilitation of Baseco Boardwalk was a large enhancement to the area and this is used to monitor the growth of the mangroves planted inside the lagoon.