Dela Cruz Expresses Support for Pangasinan’s Green Canopy Project

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — In an effort to mitigate further flooding and safeguard the welfare of the town’s residents, Mayor Leopoldo Bataoil of Lingayen, alongside Climate Change Commissioner Albert Dela Cruz Sr., inaugurated the municipality’s waste-to-energy (WtE) garbage disposal facility. This facility aims to address the growing issue of waste management and disposal.

Simultaneously, Commissioner Dela Cruz and Mayor Bataoil are collaborating on the establishment of a water-impounding facility for the town, which will evolve into a comprehensive water ecosystem. This aligns with the climate official’s vision for addressing the consequences of climate change and global warming.

Dela Cruz emphasized that creating a comprehensive water ecosystem for Lingayen will not only bolster the town’s livelihood initiatives but will also significantly contribute to its ecotourism endeavors. Furthermore, it will protect and preserve the environment, biodiversity, and ecology of the area against climate-related risks.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Dela Cruz commended Pangasinan’s Green Canopy Project, which aims to plant and nurture a million trees in strategic locations throughout the province.

According to Provincial Administrator Melicio Patague, the Green Canopy Project involves planting trees falling under categories such as native, rare, endangered, and fruit-bearing. Patague stressed that the escalating carbon emissions and rapid deforestation worldwide underscore the urgency of tree-planting efforts for the environment.

Dela Cruz echoed his support for the project’s mission, which not only advocates for extensive tree planting but also emphasizes the importance of caring for these trees to promote forest cover throughout the province.

“We will not simply plant them and leave them. We are committed to ensuring the growth of these trees,” Patague enthused during the project’s launch.

The climate official also stressed the need to water newly planted seedlings at least twice a week, especially during the scorching summer months. (AI/MNM)