City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) head Atty. Rhenan Diwas calls for more participants in the Saleng Festival “Forest in a Cart,” as registration ends on June 20 and the contest proper is on June 25.
Interested individuals or groups may still register for the “Rolling Forests, Tree Cart Parade” contest up to 5PM, June 20 at the CEPMO, city hall or online at cepmobaguio@gmail.com. Inquiries may also be coursed through cp numbers 0917-4158-224 (globe) or 0910-5328-139 (smart).
As of date, fifteen (15) participants have registered: Taloy Sur Irrigators Association from Tuba, Benguet; Mark Henry Chinayo (Igorot’s Tribe MC), Fredaline Zarate-Burcao, Hector Chamos, all of La Trinidad, Benguet; Pinget Rural Improvement Club (PRIC), Smith Valley Agricultural Cooperative of Pinsao, Mabelline Landscaping Services, Noel Buhong/WoodRock and Flowers group and Larry Hacoco Landscaping and Riprapping jobs, both of Camp 7; CRAFARM/Freddie Ciano of Irisan; Zaparita gardens and Plantita/Plantito Association of Burnham Park, Rovelyn Mayat-at of Asin; Easter College and the University of the Cordilleras, all of Baguio City.
For those still interested to register, the guidelines are:
•The tree cart is an open wagon with two or four wheels, with a dimension of One (1) meter by One (1) Meter. If the cart is circular, the diameter must not exceed 120 centimeters.
•The tree cart shall mount trees, either a living miniature of the Pine OR the Mossy Forest, two important types of Philippine forests in the Cordilleras. Strictly no artificial plant should be displayed on the cart.
•The name of the participant/organization must be on the cart.
•The cart entries must join the parade on June 25 and displayed at Malcolm Square from June 25 to July 2, 2023. Cart owners/participants are requested to regreen a portion of Burnham Park after the parade.
•The tree cart parade entries will be scored based on the accuracy, creativity, originality and details in presenting the Pine or Mossy forest; and quality of trees and plants used.
•The design and appearance of the tree cart will be based on the design, quality of construction and durability of the cart, color combination, with emphasis on the use of recycled materials; and overall visual impact and appeal.
•The judges will add the scores for both criteria to get the final score for each entry, with a maximum score of 100 points. The entries with the highest scores will be declared the winners of the competition.
•The champion cart receives P50,000, while the second and third places receive P30,000 and P20,000 respectively, with trophies and plaques of appreciation. Special prizes shall be given as to best use of recycled materials, most creative design, most realistic representation of the chosen type of forest.
The tree cart parade highlights the importance of trees as a vital part of the ecosystem and the role they play in mitigating climate change, and an excellent way to showcase the ingenuity of the community while promoting environmental awareness and sustainability, it was stated in the general guidelines for the Pine tree festival.
Trees also absorb pollution, provide shade and act as noise barriers.**JGF
