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Tabora proposes esablishment of city tree board

BAGUIO CITY (Feb. 12) — Councilor Antonio Tabora Jr. has proposed the creation of a City Tree Board that would regulate the planting, maintenance and removal of trees within public areas.

Tabora said that regulating the planting and removal of trees would promote and protect public health and safety. He  also asked City Environment Management and Parks Office (CEMPO) to prepare a manual on the said regulation.

It shall also be unlawful for any person to damage, cut, carve, transplant or remove any tree in or upon a right-of-way without specific authority in writing from the CEMPO. He recommended a fine of P2,000 for violations. # Rebecca Anoyan/PIO

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Olowan proposes use of paper bags

BAGUIO CITY (Feb. 12) — Councilor Faustino Olowan proposed the exclusive use of paper bags, buri bags and other biodegradable materials as containers for dry goods and groceries in the city. In addition, only paper boxes and cartons shall be used for bulky goods.

Olowan said the move is to launch and sustain an effective waste management program as it was observed that major waste materials clogging waterways are plastic bags and food wrappers. He added that is the promotion of projects for research and development of materials which can be recycled as substitute for paper and plastic bags.

Approved on first reading during the council session last week, the measure mulls the use of sturdy and reusable shopping bags or other materials, except plastic sando bags for dry goods, which the shopper should provide. Goods sold in the wet section of the public city market may be packed in plastic bags, but should still be placed in shopping paper bags.

Supermarkets, groceries and retail stores in the central business district shall then be required to use the given materials to pack their goods, violations being meted out penalties as; fine of P1,000 for first offense, P2,500 for second offense, fine of P5,000 and suspension of business permit for three (3) months, and for habitual offenders, suspension and non-renewal of business permit.

A fifteen-day period with due notice shall be given to erring business establishment to comply accordingly, after which the next offense would be considered.

The proposal also indicates the total enforcement of the practice in all business establishments within the city by year 2012. # Julie G. Fianza/PIO    

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Yaranon forms City TB committee

BAGUIO CITY (Feb. 12) — Mayor Braulio Yaranon last week issued Administrative Order (AO) 23 creating a tuberculosis diagnostic committee, and named responsible persons for significant functions within the group. The said AO is effective immediately upon issuance.

To be known as the City Tuberculosis Diagnostic Committee (TBDC), the group consisting of specialists including pulmonologists, radiologists, clinicians and internists shall be responsible to review, decide and make appropriate recommendations as to diagnosed tuberculosis cases.

Designated National Tuberculosis Program (NTP) Medical Coordinator Dr. Maria Felicidad Ganga of the Baguio Health Department (BHD) shall organize, convene and ensure appropriate action on committee decisions as to documented cases. NTP nurse coordinator Rebeca Guanzon is for the secretariat. Dr. John Tinoyan, BHD chest x-ray physician shall attend all meetings and related activities.

There shall be two groups, composed of several doctors and radiologists as designated from government and non-government organizations, to carry out given duties, including monthly scheduled meetings with the NTP Medical Chairperson, NTP Secretariat and Dr. Tinoyan. # Julie G. Fianza/PIO

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DENR says pests killed pine trees

BAGUIO CITY (Feb. 12) — Reports from the Department of Environment and natural Resources-Cordillera Administrative Region (DENR-CAR) showed that pest and fungus infestation killed the pine trees in various parks in the city, instead of the supposed strangulation by ivy plants surrounding the trees.

DENR-CAR Regional Director Samuel Penafiel said that based on the investigation conducted by foresters Evangeline Martinez and Imelda Ngaloy, most of the dead pine trees at Burnham Park and Botanical Garden were infested with root rot, termites and bark beetle.  These pests attack healthy trees by boring holes and forming a tunnel at the trunk eventually killing the trees. The root rot usually cause the yellowing of pine needles.

“Ivy vines are only epiphytic (or the plants that grow on top of another plant), but are not parasitic. These do not usually interfere with the normal growth and development of host plants unless the foliage cover dominates the canopy (crown) of the tree, thus obstructing sunlight and interfering the photosynthetic activities of the host,” the report read.

The foresters recommended the cutting down of the trees infested by the bark beetle, termites and root rot fungus to prevent the further spread of infestation to other pine trees. 

DENR also urged the removal of tie wires and nails around living pine trees and painting of these holes to avoid entry of pests and diseases. They also recommended the regular cleaning of areas around these trees, removal of plant litters, planting enrichment at the onset of rainy season, and area security from trash dumping.

The mayor directed the City Environment and Parks Monitoring Office to act on DENR-CAR’s recommendations. # Aileen P. Refuerzo/PIO

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