A GROUP of civic-oriented Japanese businessmen are planning to plant 10,000 Japanese cherry blossoms in an upland barangay in Davao City.
Dubbed as the “Flower Island Project” the plan involves the planting of Sakura (Cherry Blossoms) and tropical Banaba trees which is aimed at creating a new tourism destination in Davao City.
“We are in the stage of studying and researching what variety of sakura will grow here in this climate,” says Japanese businessman Koji Kunimoto who is involved in the project.
The flower island project is spearheaded by Masayuki Takahashi, a Japanese agriculturist.
Kunimoto said they are looking at the Taiwan Cherry Blossom as a variety which could survive and blossom in Davao City, as the tree grows abundantly in Okinawa which has a subtropical climate.
“Taiwan Sakura is more pink, more colorful, Dabawenyos will surely love the blossoms,” Kunimoto said.
He said the group is in discussions with the City Government of Davao for a land in Barangay Eden where they will be planting the trees.
Aside from sakura, the group will be planting Banaba trees (Lagerstroemia speciosa) a tree native to the Philippines which has pinkish flowers.
“You don’t need to go to Japan to look at sakura blooms, because it is right here in Davao City,” Kunimoto said.
Also sakura blossoms symbolize peace and harmony and they hope that the blooms are harbingers of peace in the region. (By Rudolph Ian Alama)
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