ILOILO CITY -- A neophyte member of the Iloilo Provincial Board is eyeing to plant Falcata trees to boost environmental sustainability as well as tree farming in the province.
Iloilo 5th District Provincial Board Member Binky Montesclaros-Tupas disclosed that Falcata trees are ideal as they are one of the fastest growing trees. Falcate trees can mature at the minimum of three years compared to other trees.
A study by the Department of Science and Technology- Forest Products Research and Development Institute of the (DOST-FPRDI) initially found that tree farmers can have more yield as falcate trees can be harvested every three years.
Montesclaros-Tupas, the wife of incumbent Congressman Raul Tupas, wants to bring the Falcata tree to Iloilo as it is abundant in her home province of Bukidnon in Northern Mindanao.
Montesclaros-Tupas said her office is working with the Northern Iloilo State University (NISU), barangay officials and private organizations in planning to plant the initial 11,000 Falcata seedlings.
Aside from environmental protection, other top priorities of Montesclaros-Tupas are addressing programs that can further boost tourism and the fishing industries in northern Iloilo province.