Public urged to observe 'greener Undas'

MANILA, Philippines - The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) and the EcoWaste Coalition appealed to the public yesterday to observe a “greener Undas (All Saints’ Day)” when they visit their dearly departed in cemeteries this weekend.

The two organizations issued a joint statement to remind people to keep the affair simple, climate-friendly and toxic-free.

The two-day holiday next month should be spent in a more faith-centered and austere manner and those visiting cemeteries should think of ways on how to protect the environment such as avoiding the use of plastic and not leaving litter around, they said.

“These are two of the small but sure ways on how they can help combat climate change. Remember those who died during typhoons ‘Ondoy’ and ‘Pepeng’ by keeping the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day environment friendly,’’ CBCP Public Affairs Committee chairman Kalookan Bishop Deogracias Iniguez said.

Iniguez said the havoc wrought by the two strong typhoons were Mother Nature’s way of paying the people back for the abuse and lack of concern she has received from humans.

“The environmental lessons from the recent storms should not be ignored as we carry on with our timeless tradition of remembering all the saints and our dear departed ones,” the bishop said.

“We owe it to all who perished from the calamities to reform the way we have been treating Mother Earth, ensuring that we hurt her no more with our wasteful habits and harmful practices. Let us remember those who died in the storms and vow to honor their memories by preserving and protecting our fragile environment to the best of our ability.”

EcoWaste Coalition president Manny Calonzo said “the widely observed Undas offers a concrete opportunity for everyone to play a constructive role towards curbing crass consumerism that has sullied our beautiful tradition of honoring the dead.”

“Our shared efforts to green our choices and practices – from sprucing up the tombs to the actual visit to the teeming cemeteries — can make this year’s Undas kinder to the environment,” he said.        — Evelyn Macairan