The Sangguniang Panglungsod approved on the First Reading, on March 22, 2021, the “Policy on Preservation of Balakat Trees and authorized Mabalacat City College to install markings on all Balakat Trees within the Jurisdiction of Mabalacat City.”
Dr. Michelle Aguilar-Ong, MCC President, addressed the concerns and clarifications of the city council members together with Mr. Basty Sebastian, Director of MCC Kayantabe, community extension arm of MCC, and City Environment and Natural Resources Office, Engr. Jesus Santiago.
It is the goal of Mabalacat City College to carry out concrete actions geared towards the preservation and protection of the environment. A significant part of this mission is the propagation, preservation, and protection of the local Balakat trees found within the communities of Mabalacat City where its name was derived. Therefore, in recognition of these trees, Mabalacat City College, a college of the Local Government of Mabalacat City, acknowledges its moral obligation of identifying, recognizing the significance and protecting these endangered Balakat trees.
The City Mayor and concurrently the MCC Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Hon. Crisostomo C. Garbo fully endorsed this initiative from the academic community. “I don’t see any reason why we should not support this policy. Balakat trees are living testimonies of our roots as Mabalaqueños, it is our duty to protect them”, he concluded.
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