THE greening of Iloilo Airport Gateway has started preparations through activation of partnership of various stakeholders.
Iloilo City Government, Provincial Government, Municipalities of Cabatuan, Santa Barbara, and Pavia, Department of Works and Highways (DPWH)-Western Visayas, and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap) entered into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) at City Hall Penthouse July 10.
The MOA was signed by City Mayor Jerry Treñas; Governor Arthur Defensor. Jr.; Sta. Barbara Mayor Dennis Superficial; Cabatuan Mayor Elizalde Pueyo; Pavia Mayor Laurence Anthony Gorriceta; DPWH Regional Director Nerie Bueno; and Caap acting area manager Eusebio Monserate Jr.
The project will be jointly undertaken by City Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro), Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office (PGENRO), Provincial Planning and Development Office, Local Economic Development and Investment Promotions (Ledip) Office, DPWH and Caap.
"When visitors arrive at the Iloilo Airport and go to the city, they will see how green our place is as a part of the collaborative initiatives done to help the environment. One good thing about this project is that it brings together the city, province, municipalities, and other agencies to collaborate for the betterment of Iloilo," Treñas said.
"The City Government is ready to help out in whatever capacity to make Iloilo greener," he added.
The endeavor promotes environmental conservation and sustainability through tree-growing initiatives spanning some 19 kilometers along the national highway from Iloilo Airport to city, traversing the municipalities of Cabatuan, Santa Barbara and Pavia.
Some 1,300 seedlings of various tree species, including Kasopangil, Malabago, Salinggogon, Siar, Labayanan, Bakan, Balitbitan, Bani and Catmon, will be planted along the identified areas.
This initiative is part of bringing the Wheel Program focusing on welfare, health, education, environment, livelihood, and sustainability to bring green convergence to the next level. (PR)