Baguio pine trees up for inventory

ENVIRONMENT Secretary Roy Cimatu ordered the inventory of pine trees in the country’s Summer Capital after observing the presence of dying pine trees in areas where trees are supposed to thrive in the city.

The retired military general assured residents of Baguio that he will study what is best for the city particularly on the dying trees.

“I have discussed this with my staff because I became worried when I saw pine trees dying which brought me to question my staff on how long is the lifespan of

a pine tree which they answered, a century,” Cimatu said.

A member of PMA Magiting Class of 1970, Cimatu recalled his youth in the academy of pine trees having more vibrant color with their barks not peeling off.

“While at Camp John Hay, I saw one pine tree about to die which worried me, I counted the number of pine trees that were dying or were already dead, and I counted more than 100. We might be losing the pine trees here in Baguio," Cimatu stated.

Cimatu said he is really interested in pine trees because this what makes the city of Baguio unique among other tourist destinations, aside from its cold weather.

"The pine tree inventory will pave the way for the DENR and Watershed and Water Resources Research Center (WWRRC)to come up with an ecosystem research to check the status of pine trees in Baguio," he said.

He said he will also be sending scientists specializing in landslides and climate change to conduct a research and to come up with measures during calamities.

Cimatu assured the research to be conducted by his office and WWRRC will not lead to the national government issuance of an order for the rehabilitation of the city.

"Honestly, there is no directives for the rehabilitation of Baguio. We are still focusing in Boracay since we still have a year to fully rehabilitate it. And now we are rehabilitating Manila Bay so Baguio is not yet subject for rehabilitation," he said.