| ALAMINOS CITY – May 13,
2003. Its fourth city’s “Green Day”
Mayor Eduardo F. Fontelera led the cross section of the city in
another historic event for the city people and for Mother Nature
as his flagship initiative for the environment and future generations
of Alaminians was recently launched through the adopt –A-
Mountain Project in Sitio Ballog Barangay Sabangan here.
Hundred of local officials, NGOs academe, church groups. SKs,
heads of different government agencies and departments of the city
LGU, barangay leaders and peoples organization as well business
sector flocked at the foot of the mountains in the said SKs, heads
of different government agencies and departments of the city LGU,
barangay leaders and peoples organizations as well business sector
flocked at the foot of the mountains in the said upland barangay
to show their utmost support and commitment to the noble visions
of the Fontelera administration for the environment-regreening the
vast yet barren forest lands.
Parallel to the priority thrust of Pres. Gloria M. Arroyo for
the conservation of the environment and natural resources, Fontelera
thought of spearheading the project in 2001 in collaboration with
CENRO and DENR believing that is the responsibility not only of
his constituents but every Filipino to save these wonderful gifts
from God.
And it was on Sept. 14, 2001 when the city chief executives entered
into an accord with the DENR to finally pursue his dream of reviving
the now dying mountains and regreening the vast forestlands within
the territorial jurisdiction of the city.
Under the said agreement, the Adopt-A-Mountain Project of the
city covers twenty-five years and the total forestland to be developed
and managed has total area of 16.28 hectares.
Giving back to nature
As early as 6 o’clock in the sunny Tuesday morning participants
begun to arrive at the tree planting site and beginning to feel
the cool ambience only nature could give.
At the makeshift stage and tents prepared by the city agriculture
office for the simple program, all the stakeholders registered their
names on the attendance sheets while waiting for others dignitaries
and participants to arrive.
Exactly 8 AM, Mayor Fontelera tendered his warm words of welcome
to all the attendees, most of which were his citymates, and thanked
everyone for making said momentous undertaking happen.
“Its high time to return back to Mother Nature all we borrowed
from our children and future generations of Alaminians and by so
doing, we will soon be able to achieve our main objective of revitalizing
lives in the forest, Fontelera said.
The mayor noted that the three years age he expressed his ardent
to DENR to develop the mountain adjacent to the “Project”
site and his wish was granted by the said agency through the Socialized
Integrated Forestry Management Agreement (SIFMA), with a Lease Contract
for 25 years renewable for another 25 years.
“There are so many timber in grazing lands in our city that
were left idle for years. That’s why I decided to lease the
land just to help the government regreen our denuded forest and
contribute in saving the nature,” he said.
|
But contrary to some reports, Fontelera made it clear that his
family-run companies don’t own the land, “we only leased
it and its still DENR’s property.
Sustainable development
“You just saw enthusiasm of our citymates in extending their
share in saving our immediate environment but we must have to sustained
what we have started in order not to defeat the purpose of our cause
for the nature, the mayor said.”
According to him, after this tree planting activity, “these
trees must be nourished and the project must be sustained and maintain
well and should not be a case of survival of the fittest”.
Fontelera stressed that the reforestation project making use of
almost twenty varieties of fruit bearing and forest trees, will
be in full blast this June, on the onset of the rainy season.
“Through our concerted effort and commitment, I hope that
our initiative could be part of our Almighty God’s plan for
His creations”.
The dynamic city head then thanked participants and guest included
First District Board Member Danilo B. Dizon, Burgos Mayor Domingo
Doctor and CENRO officials for their modest contribution to realization
of another worthy undertaking for the environment.
“Their presence alone already ignited the enthusiasm of
our citymates to join our advocacy campaign and we’re so grateful
that they are part of our team who really care for our environment.”
Dong’s living legacy
A history in the making for the city of Alaminos and next generations
to come, Fontelera challenged all the stakeholders to manifest their
strong resolve in helping restore the degraded water shed areas
and bring back the birds by simply re-greening the mountains.
“Soon we will all die, but we have to leave something behind
for our children and our children’s children. And being your
mayor, I wish to leave a living legacy to the future generations
of Alaminians though this humble initiative- the Adopt-A- Mountain
Project.”
“This is just but the beginning of a very remarkable journey
with nature and life in not too distant future the city will soon
transform this area into a Botanical Garden, Tree, Leisure or Forest
Park, which will soon serve as an added tourist haven of Alaminos
aside from our city’s icon-the majestic Hundred Islands National
Park.
He even revealed that there are plans to develop other areas of
the land for the proposed Housing Project for the city government
employees who basically love nature, serenity and wanted to escape
urban life.
For one, Fontelera is not just working for the promotion of a
more sustainable upland or forest management but likewise create
a new image of Alaminos, not just as the next growth center in Pangasinan,
but also home of environmental protection advocates or one of the
most environment friendly cities in the country today. (RMR)
|
