BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Peace and environment volunteers from cities of San Carlos, Sagay and Cadiz, as well as Manapla received cash incentives from the provincial government of Negros Occidental on October 18.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, assisted by Mayor Alfredo Marañon III, Brig. Gen. Inocencio Pasaporte, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, Lt. Col. J-Jay Javines, 79th Infantry Battalion commanding officer and Board Member Sixto Guanzon, led the distribution of cash incentives to peace and environment volunteers at Balay Kauswagan in Sagay City.
Lacson said that the collaborative program of the provincial government, Philippine Army, and participating local government units, is anchored on promoting forest governance strategies that include participatory and community-based approaches.
Under the program, he said that the volunteers will be receiving monthly incentives of P1,500 each, starting July of this year.
Lacson said that the activity is an opportunity to thank the volunteers who act in the spirit of giving, and to encourage others to do the same.
He also said that through the Provincial Integrated Water Security Program, it is the provincial government’s commitment to strengthen sustainable development, empower communities, protect forests, and increase ecological awareness.
The volunteers took their oaths before Lacson as part of the activity.
He also thanked the volunteers, local officials and the Phil. Army for pursuing a massive environmental campaign.
“Today, we revisit the importance of environmental protection and restoration, and its crucial role on the achievement of our twin objective for ecological stability and peace,” he said.*
