AT LEAST 300 seedlings of “lambago” trees have been planted on March 1, by different government agencies and city government departments, as symbol for recommitment in environmental protection.
The event was led by the City Local Environment and Natural Resources Office (Clenro), as it celebrated its 19th anniversary.
Engineer Armen Cuenca, head of Clenro, said that this seedlings were donated by Rhona Canoy, daughter of former city mayor Reuben Canoy, who is currently running for a city council seat.
The lambago trees (which species is part of the hibiscus family), were planted at the coastline of Cagayan de Oro river fronting Duaw Park, beside the City Hall.
The trees are central symbols in the city’s history. Before the city was named Cagayan de Oro, it was known by the natives as “Kalambagohan.”
“We are hoping that we can plant more (lambago) trees all throughout the coastline of Cagayan River... let’s hope that these trees will be back in the river and would again thrive (in the coastlines),” he said.
Meanwhile, Clenro, in partnership with Nestlé Philippines, is preparing to launch mid-March the “eco-bricks,” which they said “a first” in Mindanao.
These eco-bricks are said to use plastic wastes as core component in making these materials, and this will be operated in the old sanitary landfill of the city, by a cooperative organized by former garbage scavengers.