MANILA, Philippines – Inihain ang isang panukala ni Leyte Rep Richard Gomez na naglalayong i-upgrade ang Earth Balling System o ang sistema ng paglilipat ng ng mga puno sa harap na rin ng malaking problem na kinahaharap ng bansa sa climate change.
Sa House Bill No 9124 ni Gomez ay isinusulong nito na mabigyan ng pondo ang Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) para makabili ng earth balling equipment ang bawat rehiyon sa bansa, ani Gomez, ang ganitong mechanized apparatus ay nakadisensyo para sa pag-relocate ng mga puno.
“The earth balling method guarantees the survival and continued growth of the transplanted tree, thereby maintaining the environmental balance and ecological integrity of the area. This process is essential as it allows for the coexistence of infrastructure development and environmental sustainability.” paliwanag ni Gomez.
Giit ni Gomez, ang bawat puno ay mahalaga kaya naman ang mga puno na dapat tanggalin para sa road widening at iba pang mga proyekto ay dapat matiyak na mabubuhay kapag inilipat ng pwesto at isa sa makakagarantiya nito ay kung may makabagong equipment.
Ipinaliwanag ni Gomez na mano mano ang ginagawang paglilipat ng puno ng DPWH at DENR na walang katiyakan kung nabubuhay ba ang mga puno sa oras na nailipat na ito.
“DPWH is still undertaking “manual” or “traditional” earth balling because there was no budget for the purchase of earth balling machines. This is a laborious and expensive process. Traditional manual transplantation requires a significant workforce and often leads to delays and increased costs. By integrating mechanization, we can enhance the efficiency of our road-widening projects while minimizing the environmental impact.” dagdag pa ni Gomez.
Inihalimbawa nito ang ginawa sa Cebu City noong 2022 na 228 puno ang inalis sa ginagawang Cebu Bus Rapid Transit project at P17 million ang ginastos para maisagawa ang paglilipat ng puno, sa kabilang banda ang Puerto Princes a sa Palawan ay bumili ng P16 million halaga ng earth balling machine noong 2019 para maisalba ang Balayong trees na matatamaan ng road-widening projects, ani Gomez, ang mga balayong trees ay matagumpay na nailipat at bahagi na ngayon ng 7.3-hectare park tourist attraction sa Palawan.
“We need to fully internalize that trees are worth so much more to us alive than dead. So, we need to save as many trees as we can. On the average, a tree absorbs 25 kilos of carbon dioxide each year. The per capita greenhouse gas for the Philippines is 1.2 tons per year – this means that just 48 trees absorb the equivalent GHG of one Filipino per year. And trees do more than just absorb greenhouse gases. Trees give us shade, prevent erosion, prevent flooding, and enhance the beauty of our surroundings. Bby harnessing the capabilities of a tree-balling machine, we can usher in a new era of infrastructure growth that harmoniously coexists with the natural world,” paliwanag ni Gomez.
