DENR: Climate change a reality, act on it now

CEBU, Philippines - Environment officials urge the public to strengthen actions against climate change as it is no longer a “speculation but a reality.”

“Protecting the environment is not only the job of the DENR. It is the job of everyone. The environment that we are protecting now is not ours but it belongs to the future generation,” said Isabelo Montejo, regional executive director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7 during the opening yesterday of the 10-day “Environment Xhibit.”

Montejo said that the exhibit is geared for the people to recognize that everyone faces the same challenges and are connected by the common goal of a sustainable and prosperous life.

“Through this exhibit, our call is to raise our voice in solidarity with one another for one goal, which is to live in a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. I encourage all of you to walk the talk and do our share in environmental protection,” Montejo added.

 William Cuñado, OIC-regional director of the Environment and Management Bureau-7 of the DENR said that everybody knows what is happening to the environment and there must be some mitigating measures on what is happening.

“I hope our activity now (the exhibit) will reach the bottom of your heart, at your home, for the sake of the future generation,” said Cuñado.

The exhibit located at The Mosaic Area of SM City Cebu carries a theme, “Nagbago na ang panahon, panahon na para magbago.”

The exhibit, which will end on June 30, also gives way to stakeholders and private partners to feature their green advocacies and campaigns.

Six partner exhibitors include the Edward Marcs Philippines Inc., Prozza Hirose Manufacturing Inc., RRDS Petro-Chemical Industries, Cebu Megalube, Greenworld LED Solutions, Inc., Cleanway Philippines, Inc. and the Cebu Climate Change Association Incorporated joined the event.

Rechale Ybañez, EMB-7 environmental education and information coordinator said that the exhibit uses renewable and indigenous materials like bamboo since there are plenty of the materials in Cebu and the rest of the country.

Ybañez said that many people have already expressed their interest to purchase the original artworks that are on display but unfortunately the items are not for sale.

“But we are planning to reproduce it because we also want to dissimenate it.  Daghan gyud kaayo ang gusto mopalit but we are not selling it since these are all originals,” said Ybañez.

The artworks are products of some students and pupils who won the art contest initiated by EMB-7 last year. Winners were given cash prizes while the winning pieces automatically went to DENR, as stipulated in their contract.

Aside from the exhibit, the EMB-7 and the DENR-7 have also lined-up other activities in relation to the “Environment Month” this June.

Among which is the “Run for the Rivers,” which will happen today with an aim to raise proceeds which will be allotted for the Rehabilitation Project of Guadalupe River (first pilot area) under the Sagip Ilog Program and Adopt-a-River Program of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry and EMB- 7. 

The activity is made possible in coordination with the Cebu City River Management Council, Central Cebu River Basin Management Council, Cebu Academe Network and the Cebu Uniting for Sustainable Water.

“A sustainable environment means a sustainable economy and a sustainable life.  Be one with us on this bold undertaking.  Your concrete support would spell a significant difference in environmental sustainability,” the EMB-7 in press statement said.  (FREEMAN)