Visiting ambassadors plant trees

CEBU, Philippines – Visiting ambassadors from different countries who joined the celebration of the 41st Charter Day of Mandaue City yesterday joined hands to show their concern for the environment.

Yesterday, Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes and the ambassadors planted at least 42 trees at a 5.8 hectare lot at the City Eco Park at sitio Capasanan, barangay Casili.

Cambodian ambassador Hos Sereythonh, who was assisted by his wife Chan Sinhean in planting trees, said they were happy for the warm welcome extended by city officials. He and his wife also promised to visit Cebu again.

Sereythonh and other Ambassadors attended a business forum organized by the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry earlier. The ambassadors also promised to work with the city government for future sisterhood relationships.

The visiting ambassadors and that city council of Mandaue headed by Vice Mayor Glenn Bercede planted 5 mahogany, 12 acacia auri, 15 narra, and 10 panganton trees.

After the tree planting, the ambassadors together with the local officials, went to Mandaue City School for the Arts.

Students entertained them with an orchestral band and cultural dances.

The other visiting ambassadors included Ambassador Mohsin Razi of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Ambassador Yohanes Kristiarto Soeryo Legowo of the Republic of Indonesia, Ambas-sador Nguyen Vu Tu of the Republic of Vietnam, Ambassador Batti Hanna Al-Batti of the Republic of Iraq, Charge d'Affairs, a.i. Manuel Perez Iturbe of the Embassy of the Republic of Vene-zuela, and Ambassador Bennt Cooray of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. (FREEMAN)