Private sector help eyed vs. global warming

More private sector participation is needed in implementing immediate measures to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources acting regional director Isabelo Montejo said that there is a need for more assistance from the private sector, particularly the businesses and industries to augment government initiatives in dealing with global warming.

Montejo and Environmental Management Bureau-7 head Allan Arranguez were recently in Medellin and San Remigio towns to witness, as well as extend assistance to the first private sector initiated mangrove planting and coastal rehabilitation.

Plantation Bay Resort and Spa headed by its chief executive officer Emmanuel Gonzalez with environmental planner Joy Onozawa chose the mangrove propagule planting project as their community outreach program.

Montejo said the “aim to replant, plant and rehabilitate the environment could not be made possible by the government alone considering the limitations.”

He said the “private sector, especially the companies, could extend big help considering that they are gifted with resources and less bureaucracy.”

One of the immediate means of mitigating climate change, he said, is through planting of mangrove propagules and the rehabilitation of mangrove areas.

This, he pointed out, is easier and faster than the upland reforestation project.

Mangroves, Montejo said, need only less maintenance and are easy to grow yet sequester bigger amount of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as well as toxins in the water.

Aside from being detoxifiers, mangroves also serve as breeding grounds of fishes.  — Ferliza C. Contratista/MEEV