Two academic institutions and a garden copped the awards for the tree cart parade and exhibit as part of the 2022 Saleng Tree Festival.
University of the Cordilleras bagged the top prize of P25,000; Zaparita gardens got second place with P18,750 as cash incentive and Benguet State University is third place with a cash prize of P12,500.
The second tree cart contest, a takeoff from last year’s activities, had innovations, such as the upcycled materials to build the movable structure. With the concept from Germany, the carts which contain a potted tree, are gathered in an open space instantly offering shade, greenery, and a view pleasing to the sight.
In Baguio, the tree carts were paraded down Session Road and gathered at the People’s Park for a week. Judges were Arlene Magalong, Engr. Petra Cadawan, and Rej Winlove Bungabong.
The Saleng Festival, institutionalized through Ordinance 2, s. 2022, includes tree planting and other environment-friendly activities from June to September.
The environmental program encourages residents of Baguio to be proactive partners of the city government for an urban stewardship management program, building a community of urban trees and forests.
Other activities of the Saleng Festival are information and education campaign from June to September, fun run, photography contest, glee club choral competition, trash to treasure crafts, forest products week, and green business expo.
Awards await winners of the different contests during the closing program in September.
The Green Thumb awards for active partners and stakeholders in the city’s environmental protection and conservation will be announced on the closing week.
The tree festival embraces the 2022 World Environmental Day theme, “Only one Earth”. – Julie G. Fianza
