|
Environment Secretary Lito Atienza is set to hold today
a “blood compact” with a number of provincial governors
and Metro Manila mayors in and around Pasig River,
Manila Bay and Laguna Lake as he urged the people to
protect the environment and value the country’s natural
resources, particularly water.
The
activity is part of the World Environment Day
celebration and will take place at 10 a.m. today at
Plaza Mexico in Intramuros, Manila.
“We mark
on June 5 the World Environment Day with a stronger and
firmer commitment in protecting our environment and
nurturing our natural wealth,” Atienza said. “We are
especially concerned with the degradation of our bodies
of water, especially
Manila Bay,
Laguna Lake and Pasig River.”
Signing
the environment covenant will be Govs. Casimiro Ynares
III, Erineo “Ayong” Maliksi and Teresita Lazaro of Rizal,
Cavite and Laguna, respectively; and Mayors Feliciano
Belmonte Jr. (Quezon City), Benhur Abalos (Mandaluyong),
Vergel Aguilar (Las Piñas), Florencio Bernabe Jr. (Parañaque);
Jejomar Binay (Makati); Enrico Echiverri (Caloocan);
Joseph Victor Ejercito (San Juan); Bobby Eusebio (Pasig);
Lourdes Fernando (Marikina); Sherwin Gatchalian
(Valenzuela); Alfredo Lim (Manila); Jaime Cruz-Medina (Pateros);
Canuto Senen Oreta (Malabon); Aldrin San Pedro (Muntinlupa);
Tobias Reynaldo Tiangco (Navotas); Freddie Tinga (Taguig);
and Wenceslao Trinidad (Pasay).
The
signing of the covenant will be witnessed by Atienza and
Gina Lopez, managing director of ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.
The
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
chief said local government unit (LGU) officials will
mark the international event by signing a document
committing themselves to initiate and support moves to
restore the bodies of water in and around Metro Manila
to their pristine condition.
“To
demonstrate their dedication to the environmental cause,
the local officials will affirm their commitment in a
blood compact,” he said.
Atienza
said this should inspire every Filipino to cherish and
contribute to efforts to bring about a better
environment.
“Unlike
many countries that have had to survive or develop with
few natural resources, the Philippines is favored by God
with an environment that yields abundant natural
treasures like numerous rivers and lakes, minerals,
forests, rich biodiversity, and even a tropical climate
that enables us to grow food throughout the year.”
But
Atienza warned that all of these God-given riches might
disappear if we do not know how to take care of them. To
this end, the mayors and governors of Metro Manila have
agreed to join me in signing with our blood a covenant
wherein we all pledge to do whatever it takes to protect
and sustain our environment to benefit our present and
future generations,” Atienza said.
He said
the LGU officials have recognized that the environment
is now seriously threatened by abuse and neglect.
Admittedly, he said, the sea and river systems of the
Philippines have become degraded because so little has
been done to save them.
“The [LGUs]
have agreed that we shall counter this pathetic state of
affairs by focusing on the cleanup of Laguna de Bay,
Pasig River, Manila Bay and all other waterways
immediately and intensely. We could do no less for our
long-suffering people, particularly the poor.”
The DENR
chief also said the LGUs have agreed to enforce all
environmental laws and to help in the prosecution of
environmental criminals. They also agreed to participate
in all programs and activities having to do with
reversing the impacts of climate change, he said.
He asked
the LGUs to always reach out for inputs and
participation from local folks whenever they are faced
with environmental problems so they can get the best
possible effective solution. |
