No tree, no PPA permit

Following the President's order, port service providers, including permit, license, and contract applicants, are now mandated to plant at least 1,000 mangroves, or else their contracts and applications will be canceled.

Philippine Ports Authority General Manager Jay Daniel Santiago said Sunday that the agency targets to further strengthen its tree planting initiatives it started two years ago.

"In response to the call of our President BBM to conduct tree planting activities, PPA will further intensify its tree planting initiative under PPA Administrative Order 14-2020," Santiago said.

"The entire management of PPA is glad that we are allies with the same vision of our dear President in the field of reforestation and environmental protection," he added.

Under the said PPA memorandum, it is stated that the Permit To Operate, Certificate of Registration, and contract of individuals and service providers in ports that do not comply may be canceled.

Flood mitigation move

In partnership with the Community Environment and Natural Resources, the PPA has planted more than 3,000 mangroves and seedlings in Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Zamboanga, Agusan, Bicol, Negros Oriental and Bataan.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos said tree planting should be intensified throughout the country to prevent severe flooding after seeing the effects of deforestation and the recent typhoons.

"We must include tree planting in our flood control. That should be included. If we are going to spend on flood control, there must be tree planting," Marcos said.

Tiziana Celine Piatos