(Image courtesy of DENR)
MANILA – The Philippines is lucky to have rich seas, vast coastlines, and other natural resources inland but the public should learn to take care of them.
Senator Francis Tolentino, one of the vice-chairpersons of the Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change, said Friday that the annual observance of Earth Day is a reminder to value God’s gifts.
"Ang biodiversity po ay laging nangingibabaw. Bukod tangi po ang bansang Pilipinas kung ating titingnan ang likas na yaman na manggagaling sa natural resources. Kung kaya nga po, dapat po natin itong ingatan, hindi lamang po ngayon, kundi pati na sa mga susunod na henerasyon (Biodiversity is always dominant. The Philippines is one of a kind if we look at our natural resources. That is why we should take care of it, not only now, but also in the next generations)," he said in a video message.
Tolentino urged Filipinos to develop natural resources as well as to follow the law and zoning regulations.
"Sa paggunita po natin ngayon ng Earth Day 2022, naniniwala po ako na ang ating pagkakaisa at pagmamahal sa ating kalikasan ang lalo pang magpapasiguro na magkakaroon po ng isang maunlad na Pilipinas (As we celebrate Earth Day 2022 today, I believe that our unity and love for our nature will further ensure that we will have a prosperous Philippines," he added.
Outgoing Antique Representative Loren Legarda, who is eyeing a Senate comeback, participated in a tree-planting activity at Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center in Quezon City, one of the 94 protected areas under the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act which she authored.
“Sa pagdiriwang natin ng Earth Day, hinihikayat ko kayo na maging aktibong kabahagi ng pangangalaga ng kalusugan ng ating mundo. Ang pagpapayaman ng ating kalikasan ay dapat nating gawing prayoridad sa ating pang araw-araw na gawain dahil ito ang bumubuhay sa atin (As we celebrate Earth Day, I urge everyone to be active in taking care of the Earth’s health. We should make it a priority to nurture our natural resources because they make living possible),” she said in statement.
In Bulacan, vice presidential candidate Senator Francis Pangilinan planted a mango tree at the Ascension of our Lord Parish in Pulilan town
"As I said, the last man standing in the vice presidential race is a farmer," he said in the activity captured on video on Facebook.
Activities
The Bulacan Environment and Natural Resources Office also conducted clean-up drives and tree planting activities in Paombong town where 100 fruit-bearing trees, including nipa palm, were planted inside an eco-park.
Manila Water and partners likewise jumpstarted their two-day Earth Day Celebration with the theme, “Saving the Earth: Securing Water for the Future”.
Along with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, National Water and Resources Board, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System regulatory and corporate offices, Local Water Utilities Administration, and Bantay Kalikasan organization, Manila Water led a ceremonial tree planting activity at Balara Filters Park in Pansol, Quezon City.
The event is part of Annual Million Trees Challenge, a five-year program that promotes water security and protection of the environment and encourages partners to contribute and adopt a land.
Manila Water is adopting 200 hectares of land at the La Mesa Watershed and will plant seedlings together with its subsidiaries and partner government agencies and local government units.
The ceremonial tree planting activity is a primer for the Arbor Day celebration in June 2022.
On Saturday at 6 a.m., the Hike and Bike for Nature will be held at La Mesa Nature Reserve along Quirino Highway.
April 22 of every year is regarded as the Philippines’ Earth Day pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 1481 series of 2008.
This year’s theme, "Invest in our Planet", seeks to rally all efforts toward protecting the planet and investing in sustainable practices to secure a "green future."
Earthday.org will launch an Earth Day Climate Action Summit via YouTube livestream at around 8 p.m. Friday. (PNA)
