Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Oscar Inocentes said Monday the agency has lined up a series of environment conservation projects leading to April 22, the 40th celebration of Earth Day worldwide.

“Green symbolizes environmental growth. Green is cool and clean. We would like the world to know that through the MMDA, Metro Manila is doing it share to conserve and protect our Earth, our environment,” Inocentes said.

Topmost in the MMDA’s “Go Green Metro” program is the planting of at least 4,000 “Ficus” trees all over Metro Manila, such as along center islands of major and secondary roads.

Ficus tree, also called “Weeping Fig” or “Benjamin’s Fig,” is a type of topiary tree reaching 30 meters tall, with gracefully drooping branchlets and green, glossy leaves.

In tropical conditions, the Weeping Fig makes a very large and stately tree for parks and other urban situations, such as wide roads.

Inocentes said this variety of tree requires a moderate amount of watering in summer and thrives well in bright, sunny conditions.

Inocentes said he has instructed 500 members of the MMDA’s Landscape Management Division to undertake this tree-planting activity.

To inspire awareness among residents of Metro Manila, the MMDA will also put up “Go Green Metro” posters all over Metro Manila.

Tarpaulins with messages “Green is Cool,” Green Is Go,” Green Is Hope” and “Green is Clean” will be posted in the MMDA’s Pahayagan ng Bayan posts, especially along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, Inocentes said.

The MMDA chairman said he will seek the cooperation of the 17 mayors of Metro Manila in promoting the agency’s “green ideology.”

“The protection of environment requires the participation of all the concerned sectors,” Inocentes said in underscoring the support of the local government units in the MMDA’s “Go Green Metro” program.

The greening of Metro Manila started with the painting of pedestrian footbridges of light and dark green to highlight the government’s campaign on environmental protection.

All the new footbridges particularly in Commonwealth area in Quezon City and Alabang, Muntinlupa are now painted green. Those that have faded pink color are now being re-painted with the green color.

Some sectors earlier expressed apprehension over the project, saying it may have "political undertones" as the color of administration presidential candidate former defense chief Gilbert Teodoro is green.

Meanwhile, former MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando said Monday he has no objection to the repainting of MMDA’s structures and facilities from pink to green but stressed that his legacy will always remain.

“I feel flattered that the agency is making efforts to remove my signature pink color. But whatever color you paint them, I will not be erased in the people’s mind because I am a part of the agency,” said Fernando who made a visit to his former office during the flag-raising ceremony attended by MMDA employees and officials.

He said he is not affected by the decision of the agency to change the color of the MMDA’s facilities and structures, adding that there is no prohibition on the use of the color pink for road structures.

During his term, signs, steel fences, urinals and agency’s main office in Guadalupe, Makati were all painted pink.