REPRESENTATIVES of the City Environment Management Office (Cemo) Forestry Division, City Tourism Office and Barangay Quezon assessed a Bay-ang tree believed to be century-old in Sitio Maglunod, Barangay Quezon last week.
Some 19 individuals composed of Cemo staff members and the Bantay Bukid Brigade gathered around the tree and held hands to measure its circumference.
Ramel Tanoco, administrative aide of Cemo-Forestry Division, said the tree height is about 50 feet based on the drone's video footage.
Moreto Sagario, Cemo employee and a resident of Barangay Quezon, shared that he already seen the big old Bay-ang tree in 1964 when he was in Grade One.
Now that he is 66 years old, the tree still exists, Sagario said, adding that the local government unit (LGU) with the help of the Barangay Quezon council will process the necessary requirements needed for the tree to be officially declared as century old.
The declaration will come from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
Roberto Ymbang, 62, also a resident of the barangay, said that he also saw the Bay-ang tree when he was four years old and his father also told him that the tree already existed during the Japanese time.
Meanwhile, 30 seedlings were also planted in said area during the assessment in line with the celebration of the International Day of Forests this month of March with the theme: “Forest and sustainable production and consumption.” (PR)