9th Piyesta sa Kakahuyan in Maasin set
Hundreds of students, government officials and employees and other volunteers are expected to gather for this province's annual tree-planting activity dubbed "Piyesta Sa Kakahuyan" on September 27, 2008.
On its 9thyear, the celebration goes back to Mahogany Park in Brgy. Daja, Maasin carrying the theme "Maasin Watershed Balikan, Para Aton Buasdamlag Maamligan".
Since it started in 2000 through Provincial Ordinance No. 2000-040, the first three Piyesta Sa Kakahuyan celebrations were held at the Mahogany Park. However, in 2004, the Iloilo Watershed Management Council chaired by Governor Niel Tupas decided to hold the celebration in Tigum-Aganan Watershed in Brgy. Bucari, Leon to give it a province-wide significance. Since then it was brought to other important watersheds resources in the province.
Brgy. Daja is one of the areas covered by the Maasin Critical Watershed that is still reeling from the devastation brought about by typhoon "Frank".
The Maasin Watershed is the headwaters of the Tigum River System. Along with the Aganan River System, it covers the municipalities of Maasin, Cabatuan, Sta. Barbara, Pavia, Leon, Alimodian, and San Miguel, all the way down to Iloilo City. It is also the main source of tap water of Iloilo City and four towns.
Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Sol Sucaldito said this year's celebration will recognize the role that watersheds play in maintaining the delicate balance of nature, their sway on the continued existence of several species of flora and fauna, their effect on the lives of communities that depend on them for vital resources.
"The event is a fitting reminder of our responsibility to protect and nurture our watersheds, to ensure that future generations of Ilonggos will benefit from them as much as we have today", said Sucaldito.
Almost 5,000 seedlings of balete, kakawate and narra have been prepared for this year's event.
Participants to this event will assemble in front of the Coca Cola Plant in Pavia for a caravan that will take off by 7:00 A.M. to Mahogany Park. Aside from the program and the tree planting activity, a film featuring the watershed before and after Typhoon Frank was prepared by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for participants to view.
Expected to join the celebration are Governor Niel Tupas, 3rdDistrict Congressman Arthur Defensor, Board Members Arthur Defensor, Jr and Mariano Malones, DENR VI Director Lormelyn Claudio and local official of Maasin led by Mayor Mariano Malones, Jr. (PIA)