In celebration of Environment Month, the local government of Bago City has targeted to plant and grow endemic and fruit-bearing trees on the upland ecosystem of the city in collaboration with various partners and stakeholders.
More than 1,000 endemic and fruit-bearing trees were planted by 300 volunteers this morning at Sitio Pataan, Brgy. Mailum and led by the City Environment Management Office (CENRO).
Vicente Mesias, CENRO head in an interview highlighted the theme “Solutions to Plastic Pollution” which is aligned with the national government’s thrust and expressed that the weeklong activities are geared towards increasing the public’s awareness of the hazards and ill effects of plastic pollution.
The activities ran from June 19 to 24, including Adlaw sang Baybayon where mangrove growing, coastal clean-up, and community-based conservation programs were launched; Adlaw sang Talento which was participated by the different schools for an inter-school essay writing contest and binalaybay, with content and pieces relevant to the theme; Adlaw Sang Kabukiran with efforts focused on conservation, protection, and rehabilitation of the upland ecosystem, a portion of Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park and areas within the political jurisdiction of Bago City;
Adlaw sg Pagpalapnag or the holding of information campaigns and environment forums; Adlaw sang Pagpasundayag which is a skills competition between local artists to design a “bayong” as a replacement for single-use plastic bags; and on June 24 will be the Adlaw sang Pasidungog, a program recognizing the top environmental guardians of the city, and the reinforcement of the plastic ordinance.
“Environmental protection has been at the forefront of the city government’s agenda with the Go Bago Team led by Mayor Nicholas Yulo and Vice Mayor Ramon Torres and we strongly urge the public to continue these efforts and prepare a future that our youths can still enjoy and appreciate,” Mesias added.
Meanwhile, former Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) secretary Ramon Paje according to a statement said “We celebrate Environment Month this year with the renewed and strengthened conviction to care for the land we live on, the air we breathe, and the water which gives us life. More than any time in this planet’s history, it is now that we must put our acts together to combat increasing threats to our ecosystems.”
Bago City’s activities were participated by a multi-sectoral group which includes the members of the City Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), tourism office, Ramon Torres National High Schools- main and extension campuses, Energy Development Corporation, Distilleria Bago, Girls Scouts of the Philippines, Almana Group of Companies, and Almana Cares, among others.*YCC/N&CA
