THE BROUHAHA over the transplanting of pine trees in the Baguio SM parking lot has gone out of hand. In fact, both SM and the environmental activists are correct. SM adheres strictly to its corporate social responsibility, while the environmentalists’ concern is well-founded. However, the point is we are arguing over 182 pine trees. Neal H. Cruz expressed it best in the concluding statement of his April 20 column: “In fact, there should be massive reforestation in Baguio even though no pine tree will be cut.”
Never mind that Cruz douses his own idea with a statement saying, “…how long will it take for ‘the thousands of pine seedlings SM promises to plant’ to grow…”
Enough of the finger-pointing and blaming. Let us just do it: Plant a million pine trees and reforest Baguio City this year. Let’s start by propagating the seedlings and in four months plant them in time for the rainy season. In no time, Baguio will have all the pine trees it needs and everybody will be happy.
For our part, we have initiated the project with our limited resources, experience and expertise (“Billion Trees Program”). By the time you read this, our pine tree seedling nursery on Gibraltar Road shall have been set up. However, our chances of success will be greater if everyone helps.
—NELIA FUENTEBELLA,
executive director,
Trees For Life Foundation Inc.,
billiontrees@treesforlife.net