At least four million mangroves have already been planted since the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has initiated the program as its contribution in addressing concerns on climate change which continues to threaten human lives and the ecosystems.
PPA General Manager Jay Daniel Santiago said that tree planting has always been part of the corporate social responsibility and as a way of expressing full support to the national government’s National Greening Program (NGP).
“The PPA adheres to the concept of ensuring that port activities are focused on minimizing the adverse or negative impact to the environment and ensuring that all aspects of port operations and port development are geared towards the protection and preservation of the environment for the maximum utilization of port facilities,” said Santiago.
Since Santiago issued Administrative Order (AO) No. 014-2020 in December 2020, a total of 3,909,608 seedlings/mangroves have been planted in various parts of the country.
The AO, titled “Mandatory Tree and/or Mangrove Planting as a Condition for the Issuance of Accreditation, Certificate of Registration, Appointment, or Award of Contract, or Renewal/Extension Thereof”, paved the way for the inclusion of mangrove planting in obtaining PPA permits.
Among them are the PPA accreditation certificate, certificate of registration (COR), permit to operate (PTO), appointment, including contracts for the provision of services in the ports.
Just recently, the PPA was able to plant additional 8,000 seedlings in all ports nationwide in support of the "Lingap at Alagang Bayanihan (LAB)" project launched during the birthday of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Various experts have emphasized the need to plant more trees amid the increasing heat index in various parts of the country.
The importance of tree planting has been the subject of memes and various posts on social media.
Last week, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA) announced that the highest temperature in Metro Manila was recorded 38.2 degrees Celsius at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport monitoring station in Pasay City at 3:26 in the afternoon, this is the highest recorded temperature in the National Capital Region since 1915 with 38.0 degrees Celsius in Port Area, Manila.
“PPA continues to take initiatives in programs to establish linkages with national and local government units, non-governmental organizations, and port stakeholders, to ensure environmental protection and preservation while improving port facilities,” said Santiago.