'e-lakad' to mark Earth Day

MANILA, Philippines - In line with the Earth Day celebration today, a 300-person contingent from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will lead the “e-lakad” by walking along Makati Avenue and Paseo de Roxas toward the program site at the Ayala Gardens in Makati City.

DENR Secretary Ramon Paje said participants from his department will carry bayong (hand-woven native bags made of palm leaves) to be turned over to the other event organizers and later given to participants in support of Makati City’s campaign to reduce the use of plastics.

“True to this year’s theme ‘Earth Day Every Day, Everywhere,’ we will show how the DENR and the rest of the Filipino people have worked in partnership for the environment,” he said.

Paje is expected to report on the state of the Philippine environment and what the country has achieved to improve environmental integrity.

Joining the DENR chief during the half-day celebration are Earth Day Network Philippines (EDNP) president Roberto Guevara, Makati City Mayor Junjun Binay and officials of Ayala Land Inc.

Binay will also reinforce Makati’s campaign against plastics when he administers the oath of some 200 members of the Anti-Plastics Monitoring Task Force from the city’s different barangays.

The celebration will start at 6 a.m. with “Takbo at Diyalogo para sa Kalikasan” and a Mass sponsored by the Makati City government.

The EDNP will also declare its “Earth Day Ambassadors” for different sectors. Other sidelights include cultural and musical presentations as well as an exhibit on the environmental advocacies of different agencies and companies.

Meanwhile, Sen. Loren Legarda echoed this year’s Earth Day theme to make each day of the year Earth Day, saying that protecting and preserving the environment should not be limited to a day or two.

“We should celebrate it each day of the year because environmental issues matter to our own survival. Our love for Mother Earth reflects our love for life, for our children and our families,” Legarda said during a tree-planting activity in Marikina City yesterday.

Legarda encouraged Filipinos to adopt an environment-conscious lifestyle to help protect the planet. Citizens can start within their own households by patronizing local, plant-based, and in-season food, and choosing energy cost-efficient transport modes like walking, biking, taking public transport or carpooling. – With Christina Mendez