It’s not just about bagging a world record; it’s about reviving a traditional industry that has been the mainstay of San Pablo City, Laguna’s economy for decades.
That was the message of the city government of San Pablo City, Laguna as it successfully gained a Guinness World Record for the highest number of coconut trees planted within 15 minutes last August 29.
San Pablo City Mayor Najie Gapangada kicked off the event at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng San Pablo in Barangay San Jose (Malamig), with simultaneous events in 11 other barangays in the city.
The event was judged a success by Swapnil Dangarikar, Official Guinness Adjudicator, after over 10,000 coconut seedlings were planted during the event.
The coconut-planting activity was led by two organizations – the Maiba Naman Movement and the One San Pablo Movement – with the participation of the city government of San Pablo, civic, religious and social organizations, and the private sector.
“The event marks the beginning of a massive three-year coconut planting program to restore San Pablo City’s standing as the number one coconut-producing area in the Philippines,” Gapangada said in a statement.
The mayor described the project as a “preparedness measure,” noting that the planned development of an agri-industrial park in the city will inevitably result in the cutting of some coconut trees.
“Many of the coconut trees in San Pablo are already very old, so we need to plant new ones. The partnership between the government and the people is important,” he added.
“Agri-industrial development is expected to create thousands of jobs for our people. But for the sake of our environment, we are taking the lead by planting thousands of coconut trees in advance to offset the loss that may come once our industrial parks begin operations.”
Gapangada added that once the newly planted trees bear fruit, they can serve as a primary source of coconuts for the expanded operations of Franklin Baker Company (FBCo), which was recently acquired by businessman ManuelPangilinan.
The company is relocating its plant to San Pablo’s planned agri-industrial zone, which is expected to generate additional local employment.
(With report from PIA)
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