BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The provincial government of Negros Occidental and Diocese of Bacolod yesterday signed a partnership agreement that will ensure environmental protection and sustainable resource management of the province’s ecosystems.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, who signed the partnership agreement in behalf of the provincial government, said that the partnership agreement is a welcome development for the environmental initiatives of the province.
“It is our commitment to strengthen sustainable development, empower communities, protect forests, and increase ecological awareness. The concern of our environment is a problem of global proportion but reducing its adverse impacts must be done locally,” Lacson said.
Both parties acknowledge the urgent need to protect and rehabilitate the whole environment of Negros Occidental.
The partnership agreement will be the basis for any concrete joint projects to be discussed on a case-to-case basis and agreed upon, allowing for a quick and informal project drafting and efficient implementation, all for the good of the natural environment.
Under the ABANSE NEGRENSE Development Agenda, Lacson said that the provincial government commits to strengthen sustainable development, empower communities, protect forests, and increase ecological awareness.
“The concern of our environment is a problem of global proportion but reducing its adverse impacts must be done locally,” he added.
Lacson also thanked Bacolod Bishop Patricio Buzon for his response to the call of the His Holiness, Pope Francis, on the care of the environment, citing that people are in a race against time to save and conserve the natural habitat.
The Diocese’s Social Action Center, together with “Panggas”, a multi-sectoral alliance of church, schools, governmental agencies, and sectoral organizations on environmental concerns, has identified various schools as participants in the tree-growing project.
These include the Colegio San Agustin-Bacolod, University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos, La Consolacion College, Carlos Hilado Memorial State University, St. Joseph School-La Salle, St. Scholastica’s Academy, and St. Theresita’s Academy.
The agreement provides that the Diocese of Bacolod will designate a point person and provide technical assistance for the program’s implementation.
It will also assist the Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO) in the institutionalization of the program and will assist the office in carrying out information, education, and communication initiatives.*
