A billion trees?

While a poet once said that only God can make a tree, oftentimes God makes instruments of people to make a country green.

Such is the startlingly encouraging act of some congressmen, led by Rep. Genaro Alvarez of the 6 th district, to pass House Bill 375, otherwise known as the “Billion Trees Act” of 2007. Alvarez delivered the sponsorship speech before the House.

A billion trees?

A hundred trees can be considered a mini-forest; a thousand, a maxi one; a million trees will probably cover a whole mountain range. But a billion trees tax the imagination.

To go further, how much oxygen can a billion trees exhale; how much carbon dioxide can it store. I am at a loss and would need a scientist with a flair for figures to give an approximation.

The Billion Trees Act envisions a space of five years to plant the billion trees. Maybe the target is 200 million trees a year. The concept is to get the participation of almost everybody appertaining to local organizations, non-governmental organizations, government employees, the army and the police. Even judicial personalities have been mentioned as involved in this project. Thus, judges may have to lay aside their gavels for a while and try wielding the spade to plant a tree. The soldier on the other hand may have to give his gun a rest and try, for a change to give life to a tree, instead of snuffing out the life of an NPA.

To help motivate the tree planters, participants will be exempted from paying forest charges and also tax exemption from income coming from re-forested areas, as well as real estate taxes on lands involved in re-forestation. This is the commercial incentive. But beyond that is the incentive that one is doing his share in saving the earth from the toxins and noxious elements spewed by modern living. Actually, the whole matter is a big try to survive in a dying world.

In these dire times of changing weather (changing for the worse) we need people like Representative Alvarez to craft legislation that will slow down our downhill slide to climate disasters.

We are aware of the inherent difficulties that threaten massive plans like planting a billion trees. The availability of tree seedlings is one. Another is the usual governmental inertia that cause people to lose heart and wither their zeal. The funding of this project, of course, must be adequate. Hopefully, local officials who may bear the brunt of the implementation of the law will respond with alacrity.

But the difficulties can be a challenge. Years ago, some mountains that were re-forested by the government were burned. The allege cause: the people who were hired to plant were not paid – thus, in their resentment, they set fire to the trees.

But we are full of hope that this bill, when it becomes a law will gain the acceptance and cooperation of all concerned.

The trees planted will contribute greatly to the health of the populace. The fruit trees will provide fruits that will make us more healthy. Lumber, firewood, charcoal and all sort of by-products of a billion trees will be a boon to the country.

It Rep. Alvarez and his cohorts (including speaker De Venecia) do not introduce another bill, it would not matter much. They have done the country much benefit.

* * *

A tree has fallen in the forest of politics in this province. Alfredo Montelibano, Jr. Junior to his intimates and admirers will be buried tomorrow, Saturday.

Junior, due to his many years as a public servant, as governor of this province, and mayor of Bacolod City , has garnered the respect and regard of the body politic. Truly, as the headline of this newspaper states, Junior's death marks the passing of an era.

To the family of Alfredo Montelibano, Jr. we extend our deepest sympathy. We are heartened by the thought however that there are individuals who can never be buried. Their deeds live on.

FROM RALEIGH TO RENO : We breezed into Las Vegas and suddenly I was suffused with memories of the days I have passed in this city. Vegas is for any kind of person. If you're a gambler, it goes without saying that you've come home, man. If you're looking for action on the sex front, baby, you've come to the right place.

If you're religious, there are many places of worship. Mormons abound in Vegas. Pasted to my note-book are three photos, distributed by Mexican types on the Strips.

One offers the Barbie Twins, a 2-girl special at $79. You may call 791-4752. Another foto advertises Star (a name?) whose boobs are plastered with tiny stars. If you have 35 bucks you can have a wrestling match with her. Ah there's Brook, a more pricey item at 150 bucks. (Sincerely, no hidden fees). What characterize these chicks are their enormous boobs. Maybe, it's because the size and shape deliver a visual wallop. If you're a casino habitue you don't patronize the “street hawkers”. A number of the population milling around the tables are professional and amateur suppliers of fleshly pleasures.

As we drove in to the city other memories flit in my mind: That visit to Flamingo Casino, established by the legendary “Bugsy Siegel”. The Flamingo was one of the early casinos that glamorized Las Vegas . Actually the Flamingo was owned by mobsters, and Bugsy was their frontman and chief operating officer. Later, bad blood developed between Bugsy and the owners. He was gunned down one evening in his luxurious house in California . Bugsy had a ravishing mistress.

The ghost of Bugsy still haunt the gaming tables of the Flamingo. But only those who give a damn for the past can see him.*

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