The best is yet to come; survive, revive and thrive.

 

Former Congressman Francisco Ashley Acedillo who represented Senator Francis Tolentino emphasized this in his keynote address during the 1st Cagayan Valley Ecotourism and Environmental Summit held recently in Tuguegarao City.

The Cybersecurity Adviser of Senate of the Philippines and Chief of Staff of Senator Tolentino encouraged the environment and tourism workers of the government to take care at their best what nature has endowed to the people by encouraging them to nurture the natural resources and uphold environmentalism.

 

“We are now in the survival mode. Tumataas ang global temperature, tumataas ang water level, nadedeplete ang resources and it is becoming harder and harder to feed the growing population,” he said as he urged the public to be responsible tourists.

The keynote speaker also stressed the importance of natural capital accounting to assess the economic value of resources for integration to planning frameworks in order to have a systematic local governance.

 

The summit, conducted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), aims to present the various environmental programs and recent policies and guidelines on priority programs implemented, address environmental concerns, discuss the enhanced local climate change action plan, and promote ecotourism programs and activities.

 

DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga and DOT Secretary Ma. Esperanza Christina Frasco represented by Assistant Secretary for Field Operations for Luzon and Visayas Gilbert Gonzales and Regional Director Troy Alexander Miano, respectively, underscored their commitment to attain sustainable environment, effective local governance and responsible ecotourism.

 

For her part, DENR Regional Executive Director Gwendolyn Bambalan pinned her optimism that the event participated by more than 400 stakeholders from government and private institutions will pave the way to harmonize sectoral efforts and initiatives and inspire collective action and commitment.

 

Gracing the summit were Governor Manuel Mamba of Cagayan, Mayor Maila Ting-Que of Tuguegarao City, Rev. Fr. Andres Semana of Archdiocese of Tuguegarao, and Lal-lo, Cagayan Vice Mayor Ma. Olivia Pascual.

 

Various topics on environment and ecotourism programs were discussed and a press conference was conducted. Ecotourism destinations and solid waste management best practices were also showcased in the event including an exhibit of biodiversity-friendly products from the five provinces.

 

During the second day of the summit, some participants visited the newly opened Callao Cave in Peñablanca, Cagayan.#