Trees: Answer to pollution
Iloilo Governor Niel D. Tupas and City
Mayor Jerry P. Treņas lead other sectors
affix their signature in a Covenant during
the recent launching of the Green
Philippine Highways Project held in
Jaro Covered Gym. Thousands of people
from all walks of life witnessed and
showed full support of this humanitarian
endeavor that aims to bring back our
roadsides green.
We may not have realized it but trees are very useful. In summer time, trees provide shade for people and a home for nature's creatures. During typhoons, trees serve as shields from strong winds. In urban areas, trees save our lungs by absorbing carbon dioxide cause by pollution. For all season, trees are important.
Today, August 25, 2006 at 10:00 A.M., the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will embark on a laudable project Green Philippine Highways (GPH). A major tree planting activity to be undertaken nationwide, GHP will plant trees along major highways and thoroughfares all over the country to combat pollution where experts had cited smoke belching to be the principal culprit.
DENR Secretary Angelo T. Reyes disclosed that seventy percent of air pollution is attributed to vehicular emissions. According to a 2001 report of the World Bank, the health costs brought about by pollution particularly particulate matter (PM10) are estimated to have reached an alarming figure of more than $400 million in key urban centers in the Philippines particularly in Metro Manila, Cebu, Davao City and Baguio City.
Particulate matter is the term for solid or liquid particles found in the air. Some of these particles are large or dark enough to be seen as soot or smoke. Fine particulate matter on the other hand is tiny and generally not visible to the naked eye.
Fine particulate matter is a health concern because very fine particles can reach the deepest regions of the lungs and can cause health effects like asthma, chronic bronchitis especially in children and the elderly. Fine particulate matter associated with diesel exhaust is believed to cause lung cancer.
DENR Secretary Angelo T.
Reyes, USEC for Field
Operations Teresa Castillo,
RED 6 Julian D. Amador
explained to the hundreds of
participants and adopters for
the Green Philippine Highways
(GPH) Project during the
briefing-orientation at the Jaro
Plaza covered Gym last
Aug 16, 2006.
Addressing these growing health problem, DENR is leading the GPHP to restore air quality particularly in areas where these pollutants are concerned.
The nationwide tree planting hopes to plant 516,000 seedlings and saplings on major roads estimated at 2,580 plantable area on major roads.
Here in Region VI, Regional Executive Director Julian D. Amador said GPH will cover a total length of 495.47 kilometers covering four (4) provinces of Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo and Negros Occidental and with additional kilometers that stretches along the major highways of the Provinces of Antique and Guimaras; 6 cities, 42 municipalities and 256 barangays. Amador said that the activity is supported by the academe, concerned local government units, Non Government Organization, Other Government Agencies, Media, Environmental Groups, Business and Industrial Sectors and the church. He further stated that planting and nurturing a tree is protecting and enhancing the environment where it is a shared responsibility of the community.
As scheduled, at 5 am to 630 am, start the assembly of participants from various points where they will be mass moved to their respective places of assignments to prepare for the human chain formation. There will be a whistle blowing at 930 am for the formation of the human chain and at 945 am, everybody will be holding hands to be ready for the simultaneous planting at exactly 10 am.
(ehb/RPAO)