Taytay, Palawan - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources - MIMAROPA Region, together with the local government, partner agencies, NGOs and the church, planted trees and participated in a short talk on solid waste management as steps to further protect the country’s last ecological frontier.
The activities, which were organized on May 17, 2022 to commemorate the Month of the Ocean and the Year of the Protected Areas, gathered over 200 participants from 16 offices and organizations in the municipality. Taytay is home to the Malampaya Sound Protected Landscape and Seascape (MSPLS), and the El Nido-Taytay-Managed Resource Protected Area (ENTMRPA).
The Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) provided 250 Narra seedlings, which were planted within the vicinity of the Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay in Monte Vista, Poblacion.
Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer of Taytay, Palawan, Engr. Alan Valle stated that these seedlings must be nurtured to ensure higher survival rate.
“Alam naming mababalikan ninyo (participants) ang mga tinanim dito sa Bikaryato, kaya maalagaan ninyo ang mga ito,” CENRO Valle remarked in a short program held before the planting activity.
For his response, Bishop Broderick Pabillo, DD, the Apostolic Vicar in Taytay thanked the DENR, and reminded everyone of their responsibility as stewards of God’s creations.
“Tayo po’y nilikha ng Diyos bilang taga-pangasiwa ng lahat ng Kanyang ginawa,” he said. “Ang pangangalaga sa kalikasan ay manipestasyon ng ating pagmamahal sa Diyos, kaya naman nag-papasalamat kami na dito napili ng DENR na magtanim ng mga puno,” he remarked.
Before the participants headed to the site, Bishop Pabillo blessed them and the seedlings, and led a short prayer for the continuous protection and conservation of the environment and natural resources.
Later that day after the tree planting, environmentalist Edilberto "Kuya Edong" Magpayo, tackled the current status of the environment and the challenges that confront its journey to sustainable development. In a brief lecture, he explained how single-use plastics, such as straws and stirrers, disposable spoon and fork and PET bottles end up in the oceans, harming aquatic resources and eventually human life.
Magpayo, a project officer of Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Inc., (PSFI) Turismo At Negosyo Dulot ng Ingat KAlikasaN (TANDIKAN), is a staunch supporter/partner of DENR MIMAROPA’s programs and projects. He promotes a more conscious and environment-friendly lifestyle in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, through his Ayaw ni Princesa ng Single-use Plastic movement.
In his talk, Magpayo said that apart from using reusable merchandise, such as eco-bags and water tumblers, one can help fight the battle against plastic pollution by simply refusing plastics.
“Pag namimili tayo at bibigyan tayo ng plastic bag, pwede naman natin na tanggihan iyon. Kung wala tayong dalang eco-bag, pwede naman natin ilagay ang mga pinamili natin diretso sa bag natin, lalo na kung konti lang naman ang mga iyon,” he explained.
The participants, many of which were also parents and teachers, vowed that they will observe and share the “no to single-use plastics campaign,” with their families and colleagues.
Alongside the staff of DENR MIMAROPA’s Regional Strategic Communication and Initiatives Group, PENRO Palawan, CENRO Puerto Princesa, CENRO Taytay and the Protected Area Management Offices of MSPLS and ENTMRPA, the celebration of Month of the Ocean and Year of the Protected Areas was made possible and successful through the valuable support of the following: Barangay GAD Monitor – Taytay, CBFM – MPMPC, 401st B MC, Regional Mobile Force Batallion, the local offices of Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Bureau of Fire Protection, Feast Light, Tayo Ang Kalikasan Ambassadors, Catholic Women's League,
Julio Arzaga Elementary School, Central Taytay National High School, Taytay Greek Council Zeta Phi Omega, Rhoans 66, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Apostolic Vicariate of Taytay and St. Joseph the Worker Cathedral Parish Pastoral and Council Office.
The advocacy against single-use plastics is DENR MIMAROPA’s initiative under the Department’s Tayo Ang Kalikasan (TAK) campaign. TAK aims to engage the citizenry in taking care of the environment through the DENR’s priority programs, such as forest protection, clean water, and solid waste management, among others.
In 2018, DENR MIMAROPA issued Memorandum Order No. 2018-06, which prohibits the use of styorofam food containers and single-use utensils in its regional and field offices. The effort gained strength as the National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC) approved Resolution No. 1363, Series of 2020, which imposes a ban on single-use plastics in all government offices all over the country.
DENR MIMAROPA Regional Executive Director Lormelyn Claudio said that the vision for plastic and litter-free oceans may be a long-haul, but it is not impossible to achieve for as long as everybody fulfils their responsibilities.
“The battle to save our oceans and the rest of our natural resources lies on our concerted efforts to say no to plastics,” the Director pointed out.
“The good news is, these efforts are simple and easy. We start by bringing our own water tumbler, own eco-bag. These are simple steps that would definitely help reduce plastic consumption and pollution,” she remarked. ###
Bishop Broderick Pabillo, DD, the Apostolic Vicar in Taytay (left photo) blessed the seedlings and thanked the DENR for planting trees within the vicinity of the church. He received from CENRO Alan Valle (right) a Plaque of Appreciation and TAK t-shirt in recognition of his support to the DENR’s mission to protect and conserve the environment and natural resources.
In a short lecture, environmentalist Edilberto "Kuya Edong" Magpayo, explained how single-use plastics, such as straws and stirrers, disposable spoon and fork and PET bottles end up in the oceans, harming aquatic resources and eventually human life. Over 200 participants from 16 agencies and organizations in Taytay joined the event and the DENR campaign to say no to single-use plastics.
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- Parent Category: News & Events
- Category: Press Releases
- Published: 23 May 2022