DENR eyes mandatory tree planting in Metro Manila

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is planning to require subdivisions in Metro Manila to plant trees, an official said yesterday.

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu said he would ask President Duterte to issue an executive order (EO) that will make tree planting mandatory.

“There are no more trees in Metro Manila and we should plant more to compensate for the carbon emissions in the metropolis,” Cimatu said on the sidelines of the R&D Congress on Sustainable Urbanization in the Course of ASEAN Economic Integration.

DENR Undersecretary Demetrio Ignacio said the department could issue an administrative order for the tree planting program.

“But an EO is better since it will be an inter-agency effort. We will require tree planting or set up areas for planting of trees in all subdivisions,” he said.

Research showed that urbanization is the major driver of the world’s changing climate brought by global warming.

City dwellers consume 72 percent of energy from fossil fuels and contribute to emission of 80 percent of greenhouse gases.

Cities and other urban areas in Southeast Asia have approximately 81 million households, which are likely to double to 163 million by 2030.