By Leilanie G. Adriano
Staff reporter
LAOAG CITY—The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has renewed its commitment enjoining all stakeholders to become responsible stewards of nature.
Attended by about 1,500 participants from the different regions of the country, the DENR launched Tayo ang Kalikasan Movement at a hotel in this city on April 24, 2018 with a symbolic signing of covenant to take an active role in the preservation of the environment.
“The aim of this movement is to improve our environmental condition. It is not just the DENR who is doing it, all of us should help each other to show that we are concern about our environment,” said Atty. Jonas Leones, DENR undersecretary for Policy, Planning and International Affairs who is also the co-chairman of the Task Force Tayo ang Kalikasan.
Highlighting the movement as collaborative endeavor between the government and the people, DENR Usec. Rodolfo Garcia and chief of staff said mobilizing the citizenry to promote environmental stewardship is a tedious and challenging process but for the sake of the environment and for the future generation, the time is now to act on it.
Meanwhile, DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu reiterated to all concerned groups and individuals to abide by the law and prevent environmental degradation.
As chairperson of the newly-created committee on sustainable tourism, Mr. Cimatu told participants that all resorts all over the country should have their own separate sewage and drainage system and ensure that they are following proper waste segregation and disposal.
He added that the DENR will soon close Boracay Island to give way for its 6-month rehabilitation.
“The improper utilization of environment led to the closure of Boracay. We are there to restore it because the water around the island is dirty. The sewage system is already old and needs to be replaced and connected to the drainage so that it will not go directly to the sea,” said Mr. Cimatu.
He hopes that that with a renewed commitment to save planet earth, everyone will adhere to participatory democracy for the future.