All set for Cebu City-wide tree-planting drive

Local

TREE planting will soon begin in Cebu City’s upland barangays.

The Cebu City government is preparing to launch the first leg of its citywide tree-planting initiative in upland barangays, as part of Mayor-elect Nestor Archival Sr.’s goal to plant at least 250,000 trees during his three-year term.

Arlie Gesta, officer-in-charge of the Cebu City Agriculture Department (CAD), confirmed the plan in an interview, saying the initial phase will begin within the first 100 days of Archival’s administration, which starts on July 1.

“This project will be rolled out in upland barangays, but we’re making sure this is not just symbolic,” Gesta said in Cebuano. “We want solid planting efforts, not just planting by the roadside or beside barangay halls.”

He said the first round of planting will take place in Sirao, Cambinocot, and Lusaran, with each site set to receive around 5,000 seedlings from the city's current supply of 30,000 available seedlings.

To ensure the survival of the trees, especially during dry spells, Gesta said CAD is experimenting with low-cost irrigation solutions using recycled materials like used PVC pipes and plastic bottles.

“Daghan kaayo ang malabay nga mga sanitary pipes. We’ll be asking the public for donations of used number 2 pipes. These can be cut to a foot and placed beside each seedling to serve as a watering channel,” he explained.

According to Gesta, using durable materials like PVC pipes or even 500ml water bottles can improve moisture retention and help seedlings survive their first year, a crucial period for growth.

“Once the seedling survives one year, it has a strong chance of thriving,” he said.

The focus, he added, will be on fruit-bearing trees such as guyabano, jackfruit, and lemonsito, with forest species like tugas and narra also integrated into the planting mix.

“Since fruit trees ni, after five years naa pod ma-harvest ang yuta nga atong tamnan,” Gesta said. “Income-generating ni basta maayo lang ang management. The activity becomes self-sustaining over time.”

The city is also looking to partner with private individuals who own large tracts of land in the upland barangays for this reforestation project.

While some identified planting areas are not city-owned, landowners have reportedly expressed willingness to allow use of their lots.

“Dili man necessary nga city-owned land ang tamnan. Mao nang dako gyud ang among effort sa coordination. We’ve already talked with willing partners in Sirao, Cambinocot, and Lusaran,” he added.

In addition, the city owns a five-hectare property in Barangay Guba, which may accommodate up to 45,000 seedlings at full capacity.

“Sa usa ka hectare, we can plant around 9,000 seedlings,” Gesta said.

Archival first unveiled his plan during the World Environment Day celebration on June 5, saying the 250,000 trees would serve as a living tribute to the 256,000 Cebuanos who supported his successful mayoral bid in the May 2025 elections.

“Planting trees is very close to my heart,” Archival said at the time. “I will be targeting 250,000 trees to honor the votes I received. This is my commitment to sustainability.”

Archival added that the planting efforts would be focused on mountain barangays and timed with the start of the rainy season around August. He said farmers with at least one hectare of land will also be consulted to expand the initiative.

The mayor-elect also earlier signaled a gradual shift toward organic farming in Cebu City, although he acknowledged that transitioning away from chemical fertilizers would take time.

“There’s no organic ordinance yet, but we are working on it,” he said, noting that the city currently spends around P30 million a year on chemical-based farm inputs. “The problem is that what people are provided these days is all chemical. We need to change that slowly.”

While synthetic inputs will not be banned outright for now, Archival emphasized the city’s long-term goal of encouraging more sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural practices.(TGP)