Baguio: The city government is ramping up environmental protection efforts and preservation of its forest cover by requiring couples to plant trees before securing a marriage pre-counseling certificate. "It is now mandatory for marrying couples to first plant their love tree before they will be issued a certificate of counseling, which is required in applying for a marriage certificate," Rhenan Diwas, head of the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO), said in an interview, stressing that the measure is mandated by the Baguio City Environment Code.
According to Philippines News Agency, the city government has been pursuing tree planting as a regular activity among city residents through the 'Eco-walk' program, which was recognized in the 1990s as a "Galing Pook" awardee for protecting and preserving watersheds. The couples' tree planting is scheduled every Monday and Wednesday. Diwas said the CEPMO was able to produce around 20,000 native and fruit-bearing tree seedlings to strengthen the reforestation, urban greening, watershed protection, and biodiversity enhancement initiatives. Bamboos and pine tree seedlings are also produced for the reforestation needs of the city and the residents. Diwas mentioned that the seedlings were produced at the Busol and Botanical nurseries.
At least 1,885 trees, composed mostly of Benguet pine, fruit-bearing and ornamental species, were planted across the city through various environmental programs and partnerships to help improve the deteriorating forest cover. Angelica Mae Racella, a marriage license applicant, expressed support for the measure. "I appreciate this requirement after realizing its importance - it has to be watered to grow like my marriage with my partner that has to be cared for to grow," she said in Filipino. Racella noted that increased reforestation would help mitigate the effects of climate change. "At first I was questioning why the city has imposed several requirements which are not necessary, but realizing its importance not just in the present but for the child I am carrying, I started to appreciate it," she added.
