About 70 percent of the trees planted under the reforestation-scholarship program of the Dumaguete government in the city-owned lands have survived, Vice Mayor Wlliam Ablong said.

The program falls under the urban forestry ordinance of the city passed in 2002 by both the city council and the provincial board. It aims at restoring the ecological balance by encouraging residents, particularly elementary school children, to plant trees. The ordinance has three components: the tree park system, tree farms, and tuition trees.

Since its approval, the program, which is seen also as an investment for college education of elementary school children, has benefited 203 farmers and 63 students.

Dumaguete City has two vacant sites for the program, one in Brgy. Candau-ay, and the other in Brgy. Camanjac.*RG

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