The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 2 lauded various partners for their contributions and advocacies for environmental sustainability.

 

In the recent culminating program of the Philippine Environment Month celebration in Tuguegarao City, the environment department recognized Mayors Esterlina Aguinaldo of Santa Praxedes and Cristina Antonio of Alcala, and Vice Mayor Olivia Pascual of Lal-lo, all in Cagayan; Former Municipal Councilor Marilou Sanchez of local government unit (LGU) of San Guillermo, Isabela; Manager Teresita Acosta of Friends of the Environment for Development and Sustainability (FRENDS) in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya; Chief Operating Officer Marites Balbas of Mabuwaya Foundation, Inc. (MFI) in Isabela and Cagayan; Chairperson Ofelia Ordinario of Bicobian Weavers Association (BWA) in Divilacan, Isabela; Chairperson Wilma Caabay of Dungan Upland Farmers Association (DUFA) in Rizal, Cagayan; Chairperson Mitchelle Bayang-Ramos of Naggasican Rural Improvement Club (NRIC) in Santiago City; Isabela; and Chairperson Nodie Pumihic of Tucod-Kiphodan Multi- Purpose Cooperative in Cabarroguis, Quirino.

 

These women leaders have initiated several environmental programs such as Sinag Kalikasan, Sinag Punla, Sarakat hand-weaving of Santa Praxedes, Green Wall of Alcala, Organized Zonta Environmental Care (OZONE) of Lal-lo, Co-Management of Sierra Madre’s Palali-Mamparang Mountain Range of FRENDS, Crocodile Conservation and other Wildlife of MFI, Biodiversity-Friendly Enterprise on Non-Timber Forest Products of BWA, National Greening Program of LGU San Guillermo, Tucod-Kiphodan MPC, and DUFA; and Proper Ecological Solid Waste Management (ESWM) of NRIC.

 

“We commend our women leaders for their dedication and passion to environmental protection. I hope your enthusiasm in conserving and protecting our environment will influence and inspire other stakeholders to also become women and men leaders in environmental governance,” said Regional Executive Director Gwendolyn Bambalan of DENR Region 2.

 

As direct partner-implementers of DENR forest protection and law enforcement and other priority programs, uniformed personnel and other government partners were appreciated for their strong commitment in the implementation of natural resource conservation and anti-illegal logging campaign of the Department.

 

During the ceremony, winners of the Search for Barangay Basura Buster, a video-making contest showcasing the best practices of Barangay (LGUs) of Tuguegarao City in the implementation of ESWM were recognized. Barangays Atulayan Sur, Linao East and Centro 3, and Gosi Sur and Gosi Norte emerged as the grand winner, 2nd place, and 3rd place, respectively.

 

Students from Lamo National High School in Dupax Del Norte, Nueva Vizcaya were also awarded Best in ESWM film production competition-Junior High School category.

 

“As we conclude the month-long celebration, let me appeal to everyone to consider everyday an environment day. We need to put our acts together to protect our environment. We have high hopes that the next generation will inherit cleaner, safer and greener world,” added Director Bambalan.

 

The event was also graced by Mayor Maila Ting-Que of Tuguegarao City. She emphasized in her message the values of discipline and cooperation in order to achieve sustainable environment that everybody long for.

 

Joining the regional environment chief during the awarding ceremony were Regional Directors Nelson Honrado and Mario Ancheta, Assistant Regional Executive Directors Marcos Dacanay and Ismael Manaligod, and Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officers of Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino and Nueva Vizcaya.

 

This year's environment month celebration is themed at "No to Waste: Advancing Circular Economy to #BeatPlasticPollution".#