Residents here trooped to several locations over the weekend to take part in an annual mass planting of trees to celebrate the 30th Pista Y Ang Cagueban (Feast of the Forest) and the launch of its urban version intended to alleviate the heat in the city.

Mayor Lucilo Bayron oversaw the planting of around 6,000 endemic tree seedlings at Holy Trinity University (HTU) campus in Barangay Tiniguiban, one of several urban forestry sites selected by the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (City ENRO) for the purpose.

This year’s Cagueban feast is taking place in this city for the first time, driven by a collective effort to combat the urban heat island effect that is linked to the challenges posed by climate change.

Bayron said due to the reported increase in the city’s heat index, the City ENRO proposed hosting the event in the población (town proper).

“On this last Saturday of June, we are holding the Pista Y Ang Cagueban for the very first time in an urban area. We used to hold these events in more forested areas, such as watersheds. This time, we are holding its urban edition,” Bayron said in his speech.

Bayron acknowledged that when the City ENRO presented the new regreening approach, he initially hesitated considering that people have been accustomed to holding the event in remote areas near rivers and inclines.

Aside from HTU, the other venues selected for tree-planting activities were Seminario de San Jose, also in Barangay Tiniguiban; Plaza Cuartel, overlooking the city harbor; and several schools within the poblacion.

“This is the right time to hold the Pista Y Ang Cagueban urban edition. By now, we are all aware of the so-called urban heat island effect. This happens when the concentration of people becomes so dense, and they start being crammed in limited areas surrounded by all sorts of concrete structures. The heat gets trapped within,” Bayron said.

Seven rural barangays to the north of the city, which were devastated by Typhoon Odette in December 2021, hosted the Pista last year.

Bayron said the urban edition of the Cagueban will continue as long as there are locations suitable for tree planting.

Third District Rep. Edward Hagedorn, who also joined the event, congratulated the people of Puerto Princesa for their “unflinching” support for the event.

The Palawan Integrated Area Development Project Office organized the first forest feast in the 1990s with the purpose of creating a sustained dedication to environmental protection and conservation, particularly among the younger population.

The Irawan watershed was the initial site for tree planting.

“It has been three decades since we started this activity and I’m so happy that through the years, the support of the people of Puerto Princesa for this program has remained the same. This is really an important activity as it has become a model program throughout the country, showing our unity in protecting our environment,” Hagedorn said.

This forest feast took a pause in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. (PNA)