Pangasinan Capitol replaces uprooted mahogany with native trees

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – The provincial government has started replacing uprooted trees along the way of a Capitol redevelopment project with native trees.

The planting of dita trees (Alstonia scholaris), which can grow 20 to 40 meters (130 feet),  is currently underway around the Capitol Complex, a week after non-native invasive trees such as mahogany were cut down.

“These (native) trees will serve as natural air purifiers and effective shade trees, helping reduce ambient temperatures. Beyond enhancing the landscape, the planting of native trees aims to make the Capitol Complex more climate-resilient and biodiverse,” according to a statement posted on the social media page of the provincial government.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: In Pangasinan, trees felled for capitol grounds dev’t

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

Other native tree species scheduled for planting include the Palawan Cherry (Balayong), Banaba, Bani, and Philippine Sakura (Patalsik Pula).

These trees help stabilize the soil, support pollinators, and reduce the urban heat island effect, the statement said.

Gov. Ramon Guico III earlier said 100 dita trees have already been purchased for the project, and more trees are to be delivered for replanting.

Vice Gov. Mark Lambino said there were actually no centennial trees at the site, contrary to claims of some Pangasinan residents who questioned the decision to displace the mature trees at the Capitol.

Article continues after this advertisement

“What some people previously claimed to be centenarian trees were not (that old). If you look at photographs from the 1940s, those trees were not even there. They simply did not exist,” he said.

READ: DENR defends mass cutting of trees in Manila for road project

Article continues after this advertisement

After the original trees were removed, the next steps have been to carry out earthworks, construct the new roads, and install the drainage system, Lambino said.

“Naturally, the site had to be cleared first. So if you look at the Capitol Complex at the moment, it appears bare. That is because you cannot build roads with trees standing in the way, nor can you install drainage systems with tree roots obstructing the work. These are necessary stages of the project. However, the redevelopment of the Capitol does not end there,” he said.

When the Pangasinan Provincial Board n approved the redevelopment of the Capitol Complex, “part of our commitment was to ensure that it would become a people-friendly Capitol—a walkable, family-friendly public space, part of which is the replacement of removed trees with native and endemic trees that are better suited to the environment,” Lambino said.

Pangasinan native tree advocate Celzo Salazar said he was thankful that the provincial government heeded their call to plant native trees in the park. Salazar is president of the group Pangasinan Native Tree Enthusiasts.

READ: Group opposes cutting of 192 trees at Pangasinan Capitol

However, he said there was still debate whether Palawan Cherry was a native species; he hoped that the provincial government officials reconsider their decision to include it in the plan.

Retired Col. Sonny Versoza, a Lingayen resident, urged planting of Bitaog (Bitaoy in Pangasinan) trees which are endemic to the town’s coastal areas.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.

“Bitaog is an evergreen tree; its fruits are used for making calamay (sundot kulangot) in Barangay  Capandanan. It will be a big help to the industry if we can plant plenty of bitaog because they still have to buy seeds used in making calamay in Cagayan province,” he said./coa