Some 10,000 bamboo and native trees were planted along the riverside of six towns and the City of Calapan on Friday as part of river restoration and to reduce flood woes in the province.

The provincial information office the tree-planting activities were carried out as part of the river restoration project launched late Thursday afternoon by Gov. Humerlito Dolor and covered the towns of Bongabong, Bansud, Gloria, Pinamalayan, Naujan, Baco and the City of Calapan.

In a livestreamed program in Barangay Tabon-Tabon in Baco town, Dolor said planting was carried out at 4 p.m. “when it was cooler and plants can rest overnight”.

Bamboo was chosen due to its good water absorption and can prevent soil erosion along the riverside. Once fully grown, it can be used for construction, clothes, food and fuel.

Native trees such as batino, banaybanay, lawaan and mulawin were also planted.

He said the activity is the first among the lined-up river restoration projects which is part of a major step his administration is pushing for to address the longtime problem of flooding in the province. (PNA)