Dao as heritage tree in Oro pushed

The City Council committee on tourism chaired by Councilor Jay R. Pascual is set to tackle the proposed resolution supporting House Bill No. 5172 filed by Congressman Rufus B. Rodriguez, entitled: “An Act Distinguishing the Dao Tree Located Within A Secondary Forest in the Integrated Forest Management Agreement (IFMA) Area of the E. Pelaez Ranch in Bayombong, Barangay Cugman, Cagayan de Oro City, as the Cagayan de Oro Heritage Tree, Declaring it a Tourist Attraction.”

The Dracontomelon dao tree or the Dao Tree as it is known in the country is a tropical canopy tree that could grow as high as 45 meters or 148 feet. It has a greyish-brown trunk which is branchless up to about 20 m (66 ft.) and has narrow buttresses which can reach up its trunk up to 6 m (20 ft) high.

This tree is native to the riverine and limestone forests of Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Solomon Islands and Thailand.

In the Philippines, one of the biggest and oldest Dao trees, which is at least 49 meters high and has a diameter of 222.8 centimeters, can be found in Cagayan de Oro City particularly in Barangay Cugman.

As proposed by City Vice Mayor Jocelyn B. Rodriguez and since it is estimated to be more than 200 years old, it is imperative the same be declared the heritage tree of the city in order to ensure its long term protection.

VM Rodriguez also cited House Bill No. 965 was substituted by House Bill 5172 and was approved by the House of Representatives last November 7, 2022.