Through the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) and in partnership with Don Bosco Academy, the trees were planted at the academy’s open grounds.
With the theme, “Plant trees, Protect the Biodiversity,” the tree planting activity was led by Mayor Garbo along with Vice Mayor Gerald Aquino, Councilors Rox Peña, Marjorie Sambo, Noel Castro, Timothy Dee and other government employees.
About 50 balakat, 50 molare, 50 kupang, and 50 alibangbang, as well as 25 each of narra, bignay, fire, and eucalyptus were planted.
The seedlings were donated by the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, Coronation Premium Manufacturing Inc., and Yokohama Tires.
To preserve the city’s very own balakat tree, Garbo said Mabalacat City College (MCC) will build a balakat sanctuary in partnership with the CENRO.
“Our city was named after balakat trees which are all protected by environmental policies and markings. Now, we added 50 more to mark our initial step in cultivating its variety and significance,” Garbo said.
Urban environmental management and conservation is part of Garbo’s 12 Pillars. With this, he asked CENRO and the city agricultural office to look for more areas in the city for more tree-planting activities.
DBA Rector Fr. Renato De Guzman assured to nurture the seedlings planted on their school grounds.