MikeLigalig.com

By Adam L. Saligumba

      While most of the local government units in the country commemorated the 112th Anniversary of Philippine Independence through the traditional flag raising, speeches and parade, the local government unit of Loon took one step further in the observance of the annual event by using the occasion to emphasize its concern on the global warming phenomenon and the preservation of the environment through tree-planting.

      Loon Mayor Lloyd Peter M. Lopez, MD and Vice Mayor Edwin R. Ladeza led municipal officials, department heads, regular employees, Philippine National Police and Bureau of Fire personnel, headed by PSInsp Nilo P. Branzuela, Sr. and FInsp Gordon Joel A. Indino respectively, in the early-morning activity on June 12, 2010. Also in attendance were Dep-ED Loon North and Loon South Districts teachers and staff headed by Loon North Central Elementary School Principal Juanita Monredondo and Loon South Central Elementary School Principal Alberto Mangaron. 

      Coordinated by the Municipal Agriculture Office through Municipal Agriculturist Trinita P. Suello, more than 150 grafted calamansi and 100 mahogany seedlings were planted in two municipal government-owned vacant lots adjacent to the municipal nursery. According to Suello, the calamansi will bear fruit in one year’s time.

      The Independence Day tree-planting activity was uniquely a first for the LGU. Participants, who brought with them flaglets, bolos and other tree-planting tools, gathered in the municipal hall grounds as early as 5:00 in the morning invigorated by the cool and refreshing morning breeze.

      The program officially started with the singing of the national and provincial hymns followed by the message of Mayor Lloyd Lopez in which he thanked everyone for their presence and cooperation in making the activity successful. The dynamic mayor stressed on the uniqueness of this year’s com,memoration of Independence Day as compared with that of past years. He emphasized that the celebration of Independence Day is made more meaningful through the planting of trees which is one way of preserving the environment and contribute to negating the effects of climate change caused by the global warming phenomenon.

      Following the mayor’s message, municipal agriculturist Trinita Suello presented a grafted lemoncito seedling to the assemblage and explained its features that will bear fruit in less than one year. Mayor Lopez then distributed seedlings each to the department heads and SB members who include Kag. Ricky Masamayor, Kag. Manuel Veloso, Kag. Joe Palma, Kag. Timoteo Legitimas, Kag. Prescy Branzuela and Kag. Narciso Neri.

      The assembled throng then paraded through the town’s main street, preceded by a motorcade, and walked on toward the municipal nursery more than a kilometer away where the tree planting took place. The activity was capped by a fellowship merienda composed of hot sikwate, bread, and spicy hot lugaw or rice porridge garnished with chicken meat, sweet corn, ginger, onion and garlic. It was a simple yet appetizing and satisfying repast for a memorable Independence Day observance.     

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