The Philippines is lucky to have rich seas, vast coastlines, and other natural resources inland but the public should learn to take care of them.
Sen. Francis Tolentino, one of the vice chairpersons of the Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change, said the annual observance of Earth Day is a reminder to value God’s gifts.
“Ang biodiversity ay laging nangingibabaw. Bukod tangi ang bansang Pilipinas kung ating titingnan ang likas na yaman na manggagaling sa natural resources. Kung kaya dapat natin itong ingatan, hindi lamang ngayon, kundi pati na sa mga susunod na henerasyon,” he said in a video message.
Tolentino urged Filipinos to develop natural resources and to follow the law and zoning regulations.
“Sa paggunita natin ngayon ng Earth Day 2022, naniniwala ako na ang ating pagkakaisa at pagmamahal sa ating kalikasan ang lalo pang magpapasiguro na magkakaroon ng isang maunlad na Pilipinas,” he added.
Outgoing Antique Rep. Loren Legarda, who is eyeing a Senate comeback, participated in a tree-planting activity at Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center in Quezon City, one of the 94 protected areas under the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System Act which she authored.
“Sa pagdiriwang natin ng Earth Day, hinihikayat ko kayo na maging aktibong kabahagi ng pangangalaga ng kalusugan ng ating mundo. Ang pagpapayaman ng ating kalikasan ay dapat nating gawing prayoridad sa ating pang araw-araw na gawain dahil ito ang bumubuhay sa atin,” she said in statement.
In Bulacan, vice presidential candidate Sen. Francis Pangilinan planted a mango tree at the Ascension of our Lord Parish in Pulilan.
“As I said, the last man standing in the vice presidential race is a farmer,” he said in the activity captured on video on Facebook.
The Bulacan Environment and Natural Resources Office also conducted cleanup drives and tree planting activities in Paombong where 100 fruit-bearing trees, including nipa palm, were planted inside an eco-park.
April 22 of every year is regarded as the Philippines’ Earth Day pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 1481, s. 2008.
This year’s theme, “Invest in our planet”, seeks to rally all efforts toward protecting the planet and investing in sustainable practices to secure a “green future.”– PNA
April 26, 2024
