Clark International Airport Corporation Vice President for Operations IC Calaguas said the agency will allot P500,000 for the reforestation program in the Sapangbato watershed in support of the ‘Adopt-a-Watershed Program.’
In line with this, CIAC’s Community Relations Officer Riza Lozano has been working closely with Abacan River and Angeles Watershed Advocacy Council, Inc, (ARAW-ACI) since last year in a bid to regreen the Sapangbato area and protect the watershed.
Calaguas said Angeles City Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin Jr. has also vowed to protect the Sapangbato watershed embarking in a sustainable reforestation program along with the Abacan River and Angeles Watershed Advocacy Council, Inc, (ARAW-ACI) with the planting of 1,000 assorted trees consisting of narra, mahogany and fruit-bearing trees on Saturday.
“Ang syudad Angeles po sa pamumuno ng inyong lingkod ay gagawin ang lahat ng aming makakaya upang maisaayos at maproteksiyunan ang ating watershed,” Lazatin said.
Lazatin said his office is continuously coordinating with Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) so that it will entrust the stewardship of the 560 hectares watershed to the Angeles City Government.
In principle, Lazatin said that BCDA officials have agreed to it. “I promised them that the city will protect the area. Para ito sa mga anak natin at sa mga susunod pang henerasyon,” Lazatin said.
The 560-hectare Angeles Watershed is a former United States military reservation and part of Clark Air Base. It is now under the authority of the BCDA by virtue of Republic Act 7227 or the Bases Conversion and Development Act.
“CIAC’s participation in the June 19 event is already part of their commitment to the program and we value their sincerity to do this for the sake of Angelenos,” according to ARAW-ACI President Renato S. Tayag, Jr.
“We believe that our partnership with Mayor Lazatin and the Angeles City Government will yield more benefits for Angelenos. We commend the City Government for heeding our call to preserve and rehabilitate our watershed. In a study conducted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency in 2008, it was revealed that we are at risk of losing water come 2025 while the Abacan River is one of the most contaminated rivers in Pampanga. We are thankful that the incumbent mayor fully understands this and is working with the private sector to reforest and secure our supply of water,” Tayag said.
Tayag expressed gratitude to the groups and companies that supported the June 19 event while announcing that four entities have already pledged to sign up an agreement with ARAW-ACI and with its affiliate cooperative in support of the Adopt-a-Watershed Program.
The Adopt-a-Watershed Program is a three-year reforestation program designed for large groups and big companies that are willing to maintain and support a one-hectare reforestation area inside the 560-hectare Angeles Watershed.
Tayag said that the purpose of the program is to ensure the survival of the plants within a three-year growth period until they can live on their own in the forest.
“This program is not just a tree-planting activity but more of a sustainable program for reforestation. We designed the June 19 event to attract people and encourage them to experience planting at the Angeles Watershed but the more long-term goal is to encourage these groups to adopt at least one-hectare reforestation area within the watershed in a span of three years,” Tayag explained.