Official Publication of PAWCZMS, DENR-NCR

LIKA SY AMAN
22 April 2013
Photo shows Barangay Amihan Chairman Arsenio De Guzman and RED Neria A. Andin during the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement declaring the Sampaloc Tree as Heritage Tree. Witnessing the event are Mrs. Mercedes Garcia and her grandchild, representing the oldest and youngest resident of the area.

QUEZON CITY If you happen to pass by Narra Street in Project 3, Quezon City, chances are youll see its famed Sampaloc (Tamarindus indica L.) tree. Tall and majestic, the tree is hard to miss at all, standing as it does smack in the center of the road.

HERITAGE TREE UNVEILED

For some people, this may seem strange; but for long-time residents of Barangay Amihan, it is the last thing theyll ever regard as odd. Estimated to be more than a hundred years old, the locals in fact think of the tree as a natural heritage, one that they proudly associate themselves with. As one story goes, the Barangay Council even passed a resolution adopting the tree as its official emblem, if only to emphasize its importance to the community. Heritage Tree Program And so it seems that there is no stopping the residents from professing their affection to the tree. Hearing about the Heritage Tree Program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), they wasted no time nominating their beloved Sampaloc tree for inclusion in the program. The Heritage Tree Program is a pilot project of DENR-National Capital Region. Begun in 2009, it aims to preserve and conserve the remaining indigenous/endemic trees in NCR and highlight the important role of trees in mitigating the effects of climate change in urban areas. Carbon sink Trees act as a carbon sink by absorbing the carbon from the atmosphere and storing it in their trunk, branches, leaves and roots. Too, they release oxygen back into the air, an important life resource for humans and animals alike. According to studies, a single mature tree can absorb CO2 at a rate of 48 pounds per year and store about 13 pounds of carbon annually or 2.6 tons per acre each year. Under the program, a tree designated as Heritage Tree will receive special care, maintenance and protection from DENR. Any work performed within an area of at least 5 meters from the edge of the tree crown is considered a tree protection zone. Pruning, cutting or removing of the tree as well as any work conducted near the tree will require permission from DENR. Community involvement An important component of the program is community involvement. Under the program, groups or individuals are encouraged to

nominate trees they deem worthy of being declared as Heritage Tree. Once selected, nominees shall serve as stewards of the tree and will receive technical assistance from DENR in taking care of the tree. 9th Heritage Tree On Friday, April 19, 2013 DENR-NCR Regional Executive Director Neria A. Andin led public officials in the unveiling of the Heritage Tree Marker for the old Sampaloc tree of Barangay Amihan. To date, the tree is the 9th to be declared as Heritage Tree. Attending the event are Barangay Chairman Arsenio Bong de Guzman and Council members; Regional Technical Directors

for Forest Management Service (FMS) and Protected Areas Wildlife and Coastal Zone Management Service (PAWCZMS) Antonio Manila and Donna Mayor-Gordove respectively; and Protected Areas and Wildlife Division (PAWD) Chief CENRO Primo Capistrano and his staff. The role of trees in mitigating the effects of global warming, especially in urban areas, is one of the primary reasons why DENR-NCR came up with the Heritage Tree Program, explains RED Andin. She says she is hopeful that the declaration of the Sampaloc tree would further raise awareness and participation of the residents in the greening program of the government.