Young economists convene to tackle green issues in CV

Stressing the need for the business sector to work with the community towards achieving the protection and the sustainability of the environment, young economists from the Visayas convened to talk and learn about green issues concerning the country.

Organized by the University of San Carlos’ Department of Economics and its Carolinian Economics Society (CES) together with the Young Economists’ Commission, the De La Salle University, Angelo King Institute for Economic and Business Studies, the 8th Young Economists’ Visayas Mini-convention kicked off recently in Cebu.

With the theme: “Business in Partnership Towards Environmental Protection and Sustainability in the Visayas,” the event discussed the state of environmental law to Philippine businesses, environmental management among firms in Central Visayas, government policies to environmental management and the role of citizens for better business practices in the environment.     The event was the third leg nationwide which started in Northern Luzon with the aim to involve communities, the youth and civil societies and the business sector on the proper means to implement better environmental practices.

“Events like this seek to pressure the business community to conform on what to do to protect our natural resources and the environment and teach the youth to provide for a better tomorrow,” said Miguel Antonio Garcia, External Representative in the Visayas of the Young Economists’ Commission.

One of the event speakers was environmental lawyer and Save the Tañon Strait Citizen’s Movement advocate Atty. Gloria Estenzo- Ramos who discussed that the environment is everyone’s business not only it is the responsibility of the government sector nor the private entities.

“Eco stewardship is a shared responsibility and it is everyone’s interest to keep our water, air and land clean. Everyone is a stakeholder for environmental governance,” she said.

Ramos added that unfortunately, the government sector has not yet taken the lead towards achieving environmental awareness as bills addressing pressing issue on climate change have not yet been crafted and there are several LGUs who do not ensure the achievement of balance ecology.

“Humans have caused the problems on our environment such as climate change and global warming and habitat or specie resources destruction; so humans should also be the solutions,” she stressed.

However she added that there has been a growth with the promotion of the corporate social responsibility as more players from the business sector have tried to reach out towards doing initiatives for the environment.

“Involvement of the business sector is a must. The environment and the economy are not mutually exclusive. The concept of sustainable development is not environmental protection alone but it also concerns the attainment of social equity and the promotion of lifestyles, values and technologies which reflect the concern for earth, humanity and the future generations,” she said.

The Young Economists Convention (YEC) aims to provide a stimulating venue for the enrichment of economics education in the country and to make a positive impact on society through synergies within and among students and institutions across the country.

This project was set to endorse awareness of prevalent economic issues to initiate vital critical thinking among the youth, with the hope of enabling them to put in practical usage what they have learned as they bring to fruition the idea of becoming the future leaders and policymakers of the Philippines.