3,000 children take pledge as eco-tourism police

CEBU, Philippines - Around 3,000 children, mostly Grade 4 and Grade 5 pupils and Second Year to Fourth Year students in both public elementary and high schools in Lapu-Lapu City yesterday pledged their support and commitment to assist the implementation of the environmental laws.

Tagged as "eco-tourists police," the kids gathered yesterday afternoon at the city's Hoopsdome in Barangay Gun-ob with city officials, barangay captains and the Department of Education supervisors.

Highlighting yesterday's affair was the signing of a memorandum of agreement between the City Government of Lapu-Lapu represented led by Mayor Paz Radaza and Atty. Jonathan Capanas, dean of the College of Law of the University of San Jose-Recoletos.

The eco-tourist police were given identification cards by the city government and they are now recognized as partners of the city government in the implementation of the environmental laws.

In his speech, Capanas said that the eco-tourist police are the new Lapu-Lapu warriors as far as ecotourism is concerned.

"We have a new battle of Mactan with you as warriors. Confident that we will win this battle like how Lapu-Lapu won his battle. East of Mactan is still clean. It is a challenge to protect the east coast where the beaches are," Capanas said.

For her part, Mayor Radaza said that yesterday's induction and investiture of the School Eco-tourists Police as well as the signing of the memorandum of agreement between the City of Lapu-Lapu and the University of San Jose-Recoletos, is a manifestation of their genuine commitment to sustainable development.

"I wish to commend the University of San Jose-Recoletos, the consultants, coordinators, technical working group and student volunteers of this noble undertaking. I am convinced that this collaborative endeavor of USJR and the City of Lapu-Lapu will help raise awareness on ecotourism and ensure the preservation of our abundant natural resources," the mayor said.

According to Radaza, the joint efforts of the School Eco-tourism Police will truly serve as an impetus for the community to respect environmental laws and protect the environment.

"This is a significant challenge for the officers of the School Ecotourism Police, as you strive to become dynamic stewards of the environment," she stressed.

The city mayor said that it is the responsibility of our present generation to safeguard our environment.

"It is our duty to teach the youth their rights and responsibilities, not only to prepare them for the future, but also to involve them in the present as they shape their destiny," she added.

"Today, more than ever before, if we want to save our community and our world - for ourselves, our children, and the future generations, we must work hand in hand to achieve our common goal of protecting the environment."