DENR-7 celebrates Environment Month

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7 leads the celebration of the Philippine Environment Month this June with a series of campaign programs and activities geared towards raising the level of awareness on environmental issues and concerns.

This year’s theme is “Green Economy: Does it include you?”

The United Nations Environment Program defines the green economy as one that results in improved human well-being and social equity while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. A green economy can be thought of as one which is low carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive.

DENR-7 regional executive director Maximo O. Dichoso said everyone must take part in ensuring the protection and conservation of our environment and natural resources mindful of the present threats of climate change.

A foot parade on June 4 to be led by Dichoso and other officials of DENR-7 including line bureaus and stakeholders will kick off the celebration which will be followed by the opening of Sportsfest, Pinoy Games and presentation of the 12 “Mutya ng Kalikasan” candidates.

As part of the features of the environment celebration, a river or creek cleanup and tree planting activity is scheduled on June 2 with simultaneous soil potting in various nurseries on June 8 and a DENR Open House and Market Week which runs from June 11 to 15.

A mangrove planting and coastal cleanup will be held on June 20 followed by a facilitated mine tour and responsible mining symposium on June 22 which will be held at Carmen Copper Corporation in Toledo City.

Meanwhile, a benchmarking tour will be conducted in the provinces of Negros Oriental and Bohol on June 13-15 while a five-day ENR exhibit or exposition will be conducted from June 18 to 22.

The Butuanon watershed tree planting will be held on June 23 and the Mutya ng Kalikasan Coronation Night on June 27.

The Environment Month culmination will be on June 29 where awarding and recognition of partners and collaborators will take place.

 Meanwhile, in celebration of the Month of the Ocean, DENR-Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau, in partnership with Yabang Pinoy, Dolphins Love Freedom, Marine Wildlife Watch of the Philippines, Save the Philippine Seas, Yabang Pinoy and Dakila – Philippine Collective for Modern Heroism, held a three-hour concert called Ocean Jam which advocated for the conservation and protection of coastal and marine environment.

In a study conducted in 2006, a group of scientists declared the Philippines as the “epicenter of marine biodiversity with the richest concentration of marine life on the entire planet”.

The study identified the Philippines as home to an astonishingly vast marine life.

This year’s Month of the Ocean aimed to educate the public and increase their awareness on the richness of coastal and marine resources in the Philippines. The celebration also campaigned to boost support from the public for conservation efforts for our marine ecosystem. (FREEMAN)