Planting Hope: Vice Mayor Bebot Rodriguez Pushes for One Million Trees

"Investing in our environment is investing in our people”.

These very words from Vice Mayor Bebot Rodriguez were more than just a declaration; they were a call to action to campaign for environmental management, rehabilitation, and protection.

Recognizing the urgent need for action against environmental problems, Vice Mayor Bebot has proposed the One Million Trees Rising Ordinance, a comprehensive strategy aimed at mitigating the adverse impacts of climate change.

Photo credits: VM Bebot Rodriguez official Facebook page

The Philippines, maintaining its top position in the 2023 World Risk Index (WRI) Report, faces persistent high vulnerability to extreme natural events and adverse climate change impacts. The country’s susceptibility has prompted the national government to direct LGUs to help address climate change and pursue sustainability.

Under Section 458 of Republic Act 7160, the Sangguniang Panlungsod is mandated to legislate and allocate funds for the city’s overall welfare, including environmental protection and projects like communal forests, watersheds, and greenbelts.

While Cagayan de Oro is developing fast as the logistics hub of Northern Mindanao, it is also vulnerable to increasing climate challenges. It can be gleaned from the United Nations Habitat report that the city has an alarming high to very high heat index in areas with more concrete structures and limited urban green cover.

With her landmark ordinance as a response to this environmental concern, Vice Mayor Bebot conducted the Lambago Tree Planting event last year, drawing upon the rich historical significance of this native plant to Cagayan de Misamis. It was participated in by some city councilors, the Office of the City Vice Mayor, City Local Environment and Natural Resources Office (CLENRO), the City Tourism Office, and the active youth leaders from different barangays in the city.This collaborative effort exemplifies the synergy among local government, community organizations, educational institutions, and private stakeholders, enhancing the effectiveness of carbon offsetting and neutrality objectives.

For Vice Mayor Bebot, the planting of one million trees across various city areas will become a long-term protective measure for the environment and most importantly for the generations to come.

To make it sustainable, her office will strive to continuously create nurseries for seedling production, formulating greening plans, and developing communal tree farms.

She will also call for the construction of access roads and trails to planting sites, provision of medical and technical assistance, and fostering a holistic approach to environmental conservation to support its successful implementation.

As a community leader, VM Bebot urged everyone to play a part in this environmental legacy and posed the challenge saying, “If we want to go far, we need to go together.”