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6th Piyesta sa Kakahuyan set

The West Visayas State University – College of Agriculture and Forestry (WVSU-CAF) formerly known as the Iloilo National College of Agriculture (INCA) in the municipality of Lambunao will be the venue of the 6 th “Piyesta Sa Kakahuyan” on September 24, 2005.

Provincial Environment & Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Sol Sucaldito said the Iloilo Watershed Management Council (IWMC) chaired by Governor Niel Tupas has chosen the WVSU Lambunao campus to be the site of this year's Piyesta Sa Kakahuyan since the municipality of Lambunao is one of the areas covered by the Upper Jalaur Watershed. 

The “Piyesta Sa Kakahuyan” is a yearly tree planting activity of the provincial government through Provincial Ordinance No. 2000-040. It is being held every second Saturday of September in a fiesta-like atmosphere. This is participated in by the provincial and city government workers, non-government organizations (NGOs), government agencies, academe and other stakeholders.   Primarily, this aims to awaken and constantly remind Ilonggos of the value of properly managed forests and watersheds.

Since it started in 2000, three watershed areas of the province have been the sites of the celebration.  For the first three years, it was held in the Maasin Watershed in Brgy. Daja, Maasin and in 2003, in Tigum-Aganan Watershed in Brgy. Bucari,Leon. Last year, the celebration gave focus on the importance of another watershed resource in lowlands when it was held in the five-hectare mangrove project of the province in Brgy. Culasi, Ajuy.

This year's  “Piyesta sa Kakahuyan” will take off with a caravan starting at the area in front of the Coca-Cola plant in Ungka, Pavia to WVSU-CAF Lambunao campus to be followed by a program.  Expected to deliver messages during the program are Governor Niel Tupas, Mayor Ignacio Ramirez and DENR 6 Director Celso Loriega. PENRO Sol Sucaldito will give an overview of the 6 th “Piyesta Sa Kakahuyan while representatives of the four organized local watershed management boards will give updates on their respective management initiatives.

A site-tour of the Mari-it Conservation Park will be an added activity on that day for the participants after the tree planting activity. On the way back to Iloilo City passing the Calinog route, participants will have the chance to visit the water treatment plant in Passi Sugar Central, Passi City, Iloilo. (PIA)