The simple message of environmentalist Cecile Yumul Dinio for us Filipinos to “realize the value of trees” has sent a clarion call to start planting trees and protect the remaining trees in the upland and lowland areas for the future generation of mankind.
This amid the extreme heat index that had been wreaking havoc not only to our source of food but also exacerbating health conditions ranging from heat stroke, asthma, heart disease, heart arrhythmias, heat rash, heat crams, and so on
The elevated heat index with high temperatures ranging between 40 Degrees Celsius and 42 Degrees Celsius had even prompted some local government units (LGUs) in Central Luzon to suspend face-to-face classes. Most of the public school in Central Luzon or in the country do not have air-conditioning units to dissipate the excruciating heat.
On April 3, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), has noted a dangerous heat index forecast of 42ºC (Degrees Celsius) in five areas of the country mainly — Guiuan, Eastern Samar; Catarman, Northern Samar; Roxas, Iloilo; CBSUA-Pili, Camarines Sur; and Aparri, Cagayan.
The searing sun and humidity had already triggered health concerns that CL LGUs had suspended face-to-face classes and reverted to online classes. Pagasa explains that heat index is “a measure of the contribution that high humidity makes with abnormally high temperatures in reducing the body’s ability to cool itself.” Pagasa said heat index exceeding 42ºC and reaching 51ºC constitutes “danger category,” and may lead to heat-related ailments such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.
Pagasa says prolonged exposure in the outdoor may result to heavy sweating, exhaustion or fatigue, dizziness or lightheadedness, blacking out, weak but fast pulse, nausea and vomiting. In worst cases, it may even lead to death.
In Angeles City, the city government noted that it had already planted 79,715 mixed trees at the Angeles City Watershed in Barangay Sapangbato, in a bid to regreen the upland areas and preserve the water table in the aquifers.
Since 2020, Angeles City Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin Jr. said mixed trees had been planted in the area. The planted trees include narra, molave, dau, poay, bamboo, Palawan cherry blossom, balibago, bitaug, tinik, dita, white lawan, kamagong, kiling, malaruat, toog, malalangka, malabulak, dungon, and ipil.
The fruit-bearing trees include guava, anunas, guyabano, jackfruit, atis, lipote, mandgoes, duhat, kamansi, santol, kasoy, avocado, macopa, chesa, American lemon, and rambutan.
Angeles LGU will plant an additional 50,000 mixed trees in May this year. This, aside from the plan to regreen the government owned properties in Angeles City. As you can see, we do not want a concrete jungle in our midst, we want a sustainable ecosystem that protects all living creatures.
Amid the increasing heat index year-on-year, the words of Yumul-Dinio struck a chord in our hearts: “Now you will understand why for decades we tried to keep the trees alive and standing. May you finally realize the value of big trees around us.”
We are hoping the people will understand. No amount of development can replace good health, better quality of life, and an ecosystem that protects the inhabitants of Mother Earth.