LEGAZPI CITY---The towering 60-foot, solar-powered Christmas tree, equipped with stairs and viewing-deck facing Mayon Volcano and over-looking the Legazpi City commercial district and Albay’s coastlines continuously lures tourists, some of them exaggerately describes it as a mini-Eiffel Tower.
Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said that the giant Christmas tree sends a message that Yuletide season or any other similar celebrations could be done without posing environmental hazards and being risk free.
“In fact, we are contemplating of making this structure permanent and instead re-decorate it depending on the occasion being observed or celebrated, such as heart-shaped decors during Valentine’s Day,” Salceda told The Bicol SUN.
Jose Briones, Albay tourism officer, said that both local and foreign tourists continued to troop at the foot of the giant Chritsmas tree built by Air Force soldiers out of aviation gas drums beside the Albay Astrodome since it was lighted last Wednesday---which also officially marked the opening of Salceda’s brainchild: Green Chritsmas, or Christmas without risk initiatives.
Briones said that the stairs built around the Christmas tree and the viewing deck on its top are among the unique features that are luring tourists from taking pictures while either along its walls or on the top watching the cone-shaped, most active Philippine volcano.
But to avoid accident, Briones said that they only allow two persons trekking the stairs, and only four on its top, at a time.
“We are strictly regulating ascent inside this giant Christmas tree. We see to it that only up to two persons take the stairs at one time, and only four stay on the viewing deck at a time,” Briones told The Bicol Sun.
Because of the long queue at times, Briones said they only allow up to ten minutes stay up the viewing deck, but no limit to those who wish to stay inside the tree but only at the base.
During power trip offs, the giant Christmas tree stands out more as it is the only structure remained glittering and twinkling being solar-powered, Briones noted.
Jovic Yee, a Bicol University student who had just gone back from a free tour to Germany because of his environment protection advocacy through his Radyo Berde (green radio) program, said that the solar-powered Christmas tree, made out of recyclable materials, is a novel yet pioneering Yuletide observation symbol.
“When I was on its top, I feel so proud that I am an Albayano who always takes the initiative in protecting the environment,” Yee told The Bicol SUN shortly after his ascent.
Several government and non-government agencies in Bicol and even in other parts of the country, had already signified willingness to adopt Albay’s Green Christmas initiatives. (cet dematera)
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