Zamboanga del Sur joined Earth Day Celebration

DENR-IX Personnel together with students, LGU

personnel, community residents, and various sectors

of the community during the coastal clean-up activity

at LGU Beach, Tukuran, Zamboangadel Sur in

observance of Earth Day. (Photo by RPAO DENR-IX)

PAGADIAN CITY - There is a need for us to focus on the many faces of Climate Change besetting our Planet Earth as we strive hard to focus on providing a healthy environment for humanity. This can be achieved through eco-governance and partnership with the different local government units and their constituents.

This was the main message of Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Regional Executive Director Arleigh J. Adorable as read by Regional Technical Director Gil Ona during the short program preceding the coastal clean-up activity at the LGU Beach, Tukuran, Zamboanga del Sur last April 22, 2013 to highlight the celebration of Earth Day with the theme “ Earth Day Everyday, Everywhere, for Everyone”.

The event was conducted in partnership with the local government unit of Tukuran, Zamboangadel Sur led by Mayor Francisvic S. Villamero.

RED Adorable said this year’s theme highlight the concern of everybody to the mounting impact of climate change around the world and activities such as coastal clean-ups is one way of telling people that improper disposal of garbage is a major factor that can increase its effects. Proper disposal of garbage is everyone’s concern, thus, there is a need to work together, especially with local government units and the citizenry, to exert a combine effort to help remedy this situation not only for this special day but also in the days to come.

“We in the DENR being mandated to lead in the conservation and management of our environment and natural resources must take an active role in promoting awareness and involvement to deal with environmental problems that  can contribute to help neutralize the  impact of climate change. Let us face reality that climate change is now changing our lives, our culture and we are experiencing its impacts everyday and everywhere. Earth is the only planet in the solar system that can sustain life and there is a need to protect it”, Director Adorable added.

         

Lastly, Director Adorable assured the audience that the department will always pursue programs that shall help preserve the country’s environmental gains and protect its environment and natural resources.

Tukuran Mayor FrancisvicVillamero in his welcome message outlined the different environmental projects undertaken in his municipality, particularly, their partnership in the planting of trees in support to the National Greening Program of the DENR.

“We are proud to say that here in Tukuran we have promoted and undertaken tree planting activities particularly along our streets and highways. We have also protected our coastal areas by undertaking partnership with the different sectors of society particularly the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of the Philippines in planting mangrove propagules and these are already growing”, Mayor Villamero said.

The mayor declared that the celebration of Earth Day in his municipality will be successful as the municipality and its constituents are always ready to support and conduct activities dedicated for the good of Mother Earth.

The event was also attended by PAWCZMS RTD Dr. DioscoroMelana who expounded on the rationale of the celebration, ZDS PENRO Dr. Adelaida R. Borja who gave the closing message, CENRO Ernesto Alcibar, and JHCSC Administrator and Executive Assistant Isias Amparado.

Participants to the coastal clean-up activity include personnel from the DENR regional office (ORED, FMS, LMS, PAWCZMS, ERDS), PENRO Zamboanga del Sur, CENRO Pagadian City, Tukuran Municipal personnel, students from the J.H. Cerilles State College Tukuran Campus, Municipal Solid Waste Management Office, Municipal Engineering Office, Municipal Planning and Development Office, BantayDagat and community residents.

The celebration of Earth Day is an annual international event observed by more than 192 countries wherein activities are held to demonstrate support for environmental protection. Here in the Philippines, these activities are being organized by Earth Day Network Philippines, a convergence of individuals, organizations, corporations and government agencies.

On April 16, 1990, former President Corazon C. Aquino issued Proclamation No. 553 which officially mandates April 22 of every year as Earth Day in the Philippines.(RPAO DENR-IX PR)