Who can remember what the parking lots at the Dumaguete airport were like?
The parking lots in the beginning were probably just grassland, just like the airport strip. Then in the name of progress, it was decided to cement it. A thick layer of cement was put in place on the parking lot, and a tiny hole was allocated to plant a tree seedling each — which were very few.
When the seedlings eventually grew to become mature trees, of course, they overgrew the hole quickly, and some of the tree trunks bulged, covering the hole entirely.
The trees thirsted for water. No amount of rain could seep into the holes. Then the trees dried up one by one, and then died. Until only one big Talisay tree, with a fair amount of space around it, survived, and which remains standing there.
Many people at the airport would prefer to be huddled under the shade of that one Talisay tree. The rest of the area in the parking lot was like a huge oven, as the vehicles were left to bake under the scorching heat of the sun.
The dead and dying trees were left in their original places, for people like me to frown upon, and ask why this is so.
The Friends of the Banica River & the Environment (FBRE) was, at this time, in a period of transition. We could no longer only put our focus and energy on the Banica River alone. Many environmental issues were cropping up, demanding attention, for example, GMO (genetically-modified organism) products that started to enter the Province. 
Then there was also the Jatropha being planted at Tamlang Valley, bordering the towns of Sta. Catalina and Siaton, instead of the Valley becoming the food basket of Negros Oriental, as originally-designated by the Department of Environment & Natural Resources, including a five-year dream for an Integrated Water Resource Management for the whole Negros Island which has reached nowhere.
The FBRE has since transitioned into the Friends of the Environment in Negros Oriental (FENOr). We had new recruits like Leo Mamicpic, Razcel Salvarita, Gary Rosales, and Rene Vendiola.
The tree project at the Dumaguete airport was happening around that time.
Several meetings were held regarding the dead trees at the airport. I remember we approached then Gov. George Arnaiz. We asked the provincial government to widen the holes significantly so we could plant new trees in there. Approved! The DENR planted the Dipterocarp trees and the Pongamia pinnata which are now lush, after the holes were widened. This was Phase 1.
A change of administration in the provincial government called for Phase 2 of our project. This time, Engr. Greg Uymatiao offered his construction company to create wide holes for new tree seedlings. At least 24 new trees were planted.
While the trees were growing, we would check on them whenever we were in the vicinity of the airport. We had to scold the pedicab drivers there who would carelessly park their vehicles and hit the young tree trunks with their wide roof. We planted these trees so you can enjoy the shade, and now you are hurting them. Do you want shade or not?, we told them in the vernacular. They showed so much surprise by opening their eyes wide, and promised to take care of the trees.
We also told them not to tie anything into the tree or nail any signage into it, nor to allow anyone to do this.
It has now been 10 years since that transition from the dead trees to a shaded parking area at the airport. We can now pat our shoulders each time we find ourselves at the airport.
And now it is time to look into the idling of vehicles in the area which continue to pollute the air with their exhaust.
Whew, another mountain to climb.
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Author’s email: terryneemwindler@gmail.com
