A TREE-GROWING ACTIVITY AS PART OF ORMOC CITY MAYOR LUCY TORRES GOMEZ’ Giving Teaching Responsibility, Embracing Ecology (T.R.E.E.) initiative, which promotes environmental responsibility, was held during her birthday on December 11, 2024. The seedlings were replanted in Barangay San Pablo and the Arboretum in Barangay Dolores. Moreover, on the said event, this city’s officials and department heads also gave a surprise birthday celebration for the mayor, wherein red roses were handed over to her and serenaded her with one of her favorite songs, “Araw Gabi.” 

In her message, the mayor was teary-eyed in thanking everyone for the said heartfelt tribute. She was thankful for the beautiful scrapbook given to her, as it was the best gift she had received on her birthday. She also thanked God for each one of the city officials and department heads and thanked them for everything that they bring and do for the city. According to the mayor, being the mayor is the hardest job she has but also the happiest. She also added that, “One day we will be old and the trees will be there; everything we planted will be there; the City Hall will be there; Ormoc will be there, but we will no longer be there. But while we are here, we will do beautiful work, and we will do beautiful work that matters.” (By Gwen Maurillo / EV Mail December 9-15, 2024 issue)