4,000 seedlings planted for Rep. Mercado's b-day
Brgy. Bogo, Maasin City (31 August 2005) -- Some 4,000 pieces of tree seedlings have been planted in a bald mountain here on Monday, August 29, to mark the birthday celebration of Rep. Roger Mercado, his 54th natal day.
Sweating profusely under a mild mid-morning sun with both hands dirtied, his trousers and rubber shoes stained and soiled, the birthday celebrant beamed as he leads hundreds of volunteers in a massive tree-planting activity right after attending an early morning Mass at the Maasin Cathedral.
Among those who planted trees - and at a very dangerous steep ridge of the mountain at that - were DENR Regional Director Leonardo Sibbaluca, City Mayor Damian Mercado, Provincial Agriculturist Danilo Mayorca, and many Department of Agriculture and DENR employees.
Employees from the DPWH, DepEd, and other national line agencies, including some Couples for Christ (CFC) Elders and members, joined the tree planting.
Species that were planted were acacia mangium, aure, and eucalyptus.
It was learned that through the initiative of Cong. Mercado some 64 hectares of timberland surrounding brgy. Bogo have been programmed for reforestation with a proposed budget of P2 Million for three to five years, according to Bogo Punong Barangay Eleno Macaldo.
The area was so huge Cong. Mercado had to enlist the help of all sectors - private, public, NGOs - to start the reforestation effort and sustain it on a periodic basis in the weeks and months to come.
At the Brgy. Abgao gym where a "Share A Meal" program with Day Care Children and Person with Disabilities was held immediately after the tree planting, Cong. Mercado talked about his unwavering advocacy for the environment and a life filled with hope in the future.
"If our brothers and sisters with special needs have talents and abilities to show, how much more for all of us with complete limbs. For these small children, I want them to know that this morning we have just planted some 4,000 trees for their future environment," Cong. Mercado said.
The children were later treated to a Jollibee meal served by the birthday celebrant and his family, while special packages were handed to persons with disabilities, also courtesy of Cong. Mercado and his family. (PIA-Southern Leyte)
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