(TREES FOR THE FUTURE. Lubao Mayor Esmeralda “Esmie” G. Pineda (right) leads the tree-planting of about 400 fruit-bearing trees at the Lubao Bamboo Hub and Ecopark as part of the celebration of the town’s 5th Arbor Day. With her are (from left) Vice Mayor Jay Montemayor, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management officer Angelina Blanco, board member Tonton Torres, 2nd District Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo and Gov. Dennis Pineda. Photo courtesy of Albert B. Lacanlale)
LUBAO, Pampanga—More than 400 fruit-bearing trees were planted for the 5th year of the Lubao Arbor Day celebration on Thursday (August 15) in Barangay Sta. Catalina, here.
Mayor Esmeralda “Esmie” G. Pineda led the tree-planting at the Lubao Bamboo Hub and Ecopark which has become a major tourist attraction in this town.
Pineda was joined by her brother, Pampanga Gov. Dennis Pineda, and Second District Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo and other barangay and municipal officials in planting propagules of santol, guyabano, lemon, coconut and rambutan.
The area of the planting lies just across the bamboo hub and is hoped to become another attraction of the ecopark that has become known for its lush bamboo clumps and other family amenities.
According to Engr. Danilo Aquino, municipal environment and natural resources officer, organic fertilizer, produced at the town’s material recovery facility, was mixed with the soil were the trees were planted.
Proper spacing of the trees was also observed to ensure the survival of the propagules.
Mayor Pineda explained that when the trees start to bear fruits, visitors may avail of fruit-picking activities to add to the bamboo hub’s income.
Governor Pineda, in an interview, lauded the effort of the local government to sustain the activity for five consecutive years.
“We are encouraging other officials in the province to follow suit and plant more trees, which is good for the environment. It will also benefit our province, especially places that are flood-prone,” Gov. Pineda said.
