BAGUIO CITY- Armed with digging tools and pine tree seedlings, a joint-tree planting activity was conducted on August 12 together with the Department of Agriculture-CAR (DA-CAR), Department of Environment and Natural Resources-CAR (DENR-CAR) and Police Regional Office Cordillera (PROCOR) at the Baguio Animal Breeding and Research Center (BABRC) previously called the Baguio Dairy Farm.
The activity dubbed ‘plant a tree today, save tomorrow: a Bayanihan reforestation project’ led by DA-CAR Regional Executive Director Cameron Odsey, PROCOR Regional Community Affairs Division PCOL Maly Cula and DENR-CAR Assistant Regional Executive Director for Technical Services Maximo Soriano Jr. joined by DA-CAR-RFO, DENR-CAR and PROCOR staff.
Colonel Cula expressed the support from the PROCOR and assured the agriculture department of the manpower to plant, replant in forestry projects for the BABRC. He said one of the core values of the Philippine National Police include Makakalikasan, not only in providing security but the men in uniform are in support of environmental programs.
On Thursday, some 2,000 plantable pine tree seedlings from the DENR-CAR were turned over to DA-CAR. The tree planting activity is one of the continuous re-greening projects of the department.
Soriano thanked and lauded all members of men in uniform present, the DA and DENR staff present despite their busy schedule adding it, is testament to their move to save and preserve the environment.
With the unity of the CAR agencies through the Bayanihan reforestation project, he assured all can hurdle challenges that may arise in the future.
DA-CAR Director Odsey said the tree-planting activity set to celebrate the preservation of the small piece of land in the City of Baguio that will affect the lives of many Cordillerans.
Prior to the event, tarpaulins were installed around the 94-hectare facility stating the stand of the agriculture department in the region that BABRC is government property and not for sale based on Proclamation 603 issued by President Manuel Quezon in the 1940s reserving BABRC as an animal breeding center.
With the claims over the property in the previous years and with the recent intrusion in May and June this year made by two groups of claimants, the DA-CAR top official said it is up for the courts to decide.
“But since 1940 this (land) has been in the physical possession of the Department of Agriculture. We have been using it to help farmers so that we will be able to assist them in terms of technologies even in the provision of livestock, and some planting materials. And as a training center, we use this for our people. And for the selfish purposes of others who want to grab it, this will not push through because with the help PROCOR, DENR, we can preserve this reservation,” he underscored.
BABRC Chief Robert Domoguen remains hopeful that the joint effort will contribute largely to securing the BABRC to make the area do its ecological functions for the city of Baguio, Tuba, and as far as La Union. He revealed some portions of the oak forest located at the BABRC compound was previously planted by the environment department staff in the past years.
He also added that a camp green police is being built at the BABRC compound that will serve as quarters of the PROCOR to aid in the security and protection of the facility versus trespassing, squatting, and illegal activities.
Attorney Jennilyn Dawayan, Regional Technical Director said, yearly the agriculture department in the region is conducting not only tree planting activity in the station.
She revealed, that in the past years, the site has been used as training areas adding that amid the Covid-19 pandemic there had been many activities conducted such as health and wellness activities. “We hope to continue and be able to sustain this activity not only this year but for more years to come.”
Research Division Chief, Luis Lang-oy said the planting of trees is for the benefit not only of the present but for the next generation to breathe fresh air.
He narrated, in the past various trees have been planted on the land such as: coffee, fruit trees, pine trees, citrus and leguminous trees. “We will invite more people to join us,” he added.
BABRC is located at Dontogan, Baguio City and continues to serve as an integrated research, training and technology demonstration center, laboratory, agri-tourism center and dairy center and animal breeding center.
It is also utilized for various projects and researches and also hosts the offices of the Cordillera Integrated Agriculture Research Center, Integrated Laboratory Division, Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, National Meat Inspection Services, National Dairy Authority, Animal Feeds Laboratory, and the Mountain High Dairy Cooperative.**DACAR RAFIS