MABOLO Police Station Chief Senior Insp. David Señor wondered why he can no longer see, along the streets or around his station, any of the trees whose name the barangay and police precinct share.
So, as a “symbolic gesture,” Señor and his police operatives planted two mabolos in front of the station Tuesday afternoon as their kick-off activity for the Philippine National Police (PNP) Oplan Makakalikasan.
Oplan Makakalikasan requires all police units “to promote a healthier ecosystem for the people through the rehabilitation and reengineering of the environment” by “planting trees, ornamental plants and vegetables.”
Fourteen Mabolo Police officers and eight Barangay Mabolo officials planted trees in front of the police station, in a vacant lot along Gil Tudtud St. and in the Mabolo Elementary School grounds.
Barangay Captain Rey Ompoc also joined the activity, which resulted in the planting of 30 jackfruit (nangka), 45 horse radish (kamunggay) and 40 mahogany trees, apart from the police station’s new mabolos.
Señor said he received the memorandum on Oplan Makakalikasan from the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) last April 27. To encourage them, the stations have to compete.
But Señor said there’s more to joining a contest in their decision to plant trees.
“Ang importante ang umaabot nga generation makahanggap unya og presko nga hangin (What’s important is that future generations will have a chance to enjoy fresh air),” said PO3 Emerson Isidro, the station’s community relations officer.
“Kining amoa, pag-encourage sa pagtanom (We want to encourage everyone to plant),” Señor said.
Asked how they felt after the activity, both officers laughed.
“Sakit-sakit sad gyod gamay ang hawak… pero ok ra (We have a few aches and pains, but it’s ok),” Isidro said.