By Jhelyn G. Andal
Former Pres. Joseph Estrada praised Puerto Princesa City during the 18th Pista Y Ang Cagueban (PYAC), the annual tree-planting activity of the city held at Sitio Impapay, Brgy. Irawan June 28, Saturday. Estrada was present in the activity as the guest of honor.
According to Estrada, he was glad to know that Puerto Princesa is united in reforestation programs such as PYAC.
“Reforestation is part of my food security program. We do not need the high-tech projects of the government such as cyber education and the ZTE Broadband deal. These are not important,” he said during his speech.
The former president also said that Puerto Princesa is lucky enough to be not much affected by floods, compared to other cities and provinces.
“Masuwerte kayo dahil hanggang ngayon, anumang bagyo at ulan ang dumaan, hindi binabaha ang Puerto Princesa at wala ring landslide,” he added.
“I wish that activities such as these will be observed in other parts of the country especially in those areas where forest cover are being rapidly depleted, where landslides and flashfloods have become common experiences in times of typhoons and heavy rains. This is where such agenda as reforestation, which you are doing today in this feast, becomes important and compelling,” Estrada said during a welcome dinner June 27.
Mayor Edward Hagedorn, on the other hand, thanked the people for their participation in the feast.
“Naipapakita natin dito na talagang naisapuso na natin ang pagmamahal sa kalikasan,” Hagedorn said.
According to the City ENRO, the Pista had contributed a total of 1.7 million trees since 1992. They added that the planted seedlings have a 70 percent rate of survival.
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