By Xander Ledesma
In response to the growing impacts of climate change and to promote sustainability and food security, Tacloban City has launched a tree planting initiative at the 3.2-hectare demonstration farm, the Tacloban Agricultural Crops Resources Hub (TACReH), located in Barangay New Kawayan. This initiative focuses on planting native and fruit-bearing trees to increase carbon capture and enhance local ecosystems.
Spearheaded by the City Agriculturist Office, this project is part of Tacloban’s broader efforts to contribute to global environmental protection. The newly planted trees, including species such as jackfruit, dragon fruit, and cacao, are intended to mitigate rising temperatures and carbon emissions, while also contributing to local food security by diversifying agricultural production.
Tacloban’s agricultural initiatives are rapidly expanding, with TACReH emerging as a cornerstone of the city’s efforts to balance environmental restoration with sustainable farming practices. According to the City Agriculturist’s Office, integrating native and fruit-bearing trees into the city’s agricultural landscape aims to address the interconnected challenges of climate change and food security.
In addition to various fruit trees, the demonstration farm features a new Pocket Forest—an innovative initiative designed to restore degraded land and create a haven for biodiversity. This green space is expected to serve as both a carbon sink and a model for future urban reforestation projects in the city.
The Tacloban City tree planting initiative is part of a larger movement to combat the impacts of climate change that increasingly affect the Philippines, particularly in coastal regions like Tacloban. Typhoons, floods, and rising sea levels pose common threats in these areas, making the planting of native trees—acting as carbon sinks and natural barriers to extreme weather events—a crucial step in mitigating these risks.
The benefits of these efforts extend beyond carbon capture. The incorporation of fruit-bearing trees such as dragon fruit, jackfruit, and cacao provides direct economic advantages for local farmers. These crops are resilient to the region’s tropical climate and are increasingly in demand in both local and international markets. This production supports the city’s food security by diversifying the agricultural landscape and providing local farmers with additional income sources, offering a buffer against crop failures due to unpredictable weather patterns.
Tacloban is no stranger to the devastating effects of climate change; it was one of the hardest-hit areas by Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in 2013, which claimed thousands of lives and caused widespread destruction. Since then, the city has prioritized implementing climate resilience strategies and incorporating sustainable practices into urban development. The current tree planting initiative aligns with these ongoing efforts to restore the environment and enhance the city’s capacity to cope with climate-related challenges.
The long-term goals of the TACReH farm are both ambitious and achievable. In the coming years, the Pocket Forest and the plantations of dragon fruit, jackfruit, and cacao are expected to become significant success stories in the country’s environmental protection and restoration efforts. These projects aim to demonstrate the positive impact of local agricultural practices on climate mitigation and ecosystem restoration while serving as educational hubs for other communities to learn about sustainable farming techniques and climate resilience.
Local government officials are optimistic that these efforts will not only improve the city’s ecological health but also inspire similar initiatives in other parts of the country. By showing that sustainable farming and environmental restoration can go hand in hand, Tacloban aims to set an example for other cities across the Philippines.