SK members pledge support for government environment projects

Tagbilaran City , Philippines  — In what appeared to be an advanced birthday gift to President Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo, over 4,000 members of the Sangguniang Kabataan from across the country yesterday pledged continued support to the ongoing campaign of government to protect the environment.

Arroyo was in Bohol for an hour yesterday to grace the Sangguniang Kabataan National Federation directorate meeting. The gathering is anchored on the theme, “Sama Sama Para sa Kalikasan.” 

The government has allocated P10 million for the SK to undertake activities and programs in line with the Green Project Philippines Program.

In her speech, Arroyo challenged the SK to continue its participation in initiatives that help protect the environment. 

“I am happy you have taken on the challenge, the SK can take task as simple as educating the people on basic issues of the environment or tasks as complicated as assisting other agencies in monitoring the projects,” Arroyo said.

Arroyo, who will turn 61 on April 5, also took a few moments to blow the candles of the birthday cake prepared for her by the convention organizers. She blew the candles shortly after the convention participants sang for her the customary birthday song.

Jane Censoria Cajes of Talibon Bohol, the current SK national federation president, said they have identified three major activities for 2009- a national simultaneous tree planting activity, national coastal clean up and awareness day, and production and distribution of Information Education and Communication materials.

Cajes said they have chosen Bohol as pilot area for the tree planting with over 100,000 seedlings to be distributed throughout the province. Some provinces, however, |Cajes said, reportedly opted for an extensive coastal cleanup, mangrove planting or seminars on solid waste management.

December last year, Arroyo issued Executive Order 774, which called for a drastic reduction of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions by a much as 50 percent within the next two years.

Activities in line include massive tree planting, coastal cleanup and marine protection, garbage segregation, composting and the establishment of sufficient materials recovery facilities across the country.

“We want to encourage a new era of volunteerism and community spirit with government and civic organizations and many others by cleaning up the environment, building parks, environmental activities in watershed critical areas,” Arroyo said.

Earlier, Arroyo praised the Province of Bohol for being the only Province in the country with an Environmental Code.

The President pointed out that climate change is already adversely affecting the world and will have catastrophic effects if no immediate action is taken to curb industrial emissions and forest loss.

Because the Philippines is an archipelago, the President said the country would be among the first to be affected by climate change.

Scientists have warned of a seven meter rise in seawater level if the planet’s temperature reached its tipping point arising from 150 years of industrial activity. — Ferliza C. Contratista/JMO      (THE FREEMAN)