LAOAG CITY — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has enjoined anew all stakeholders to become responsible stewards of nature.
Attended by about 1,500 participants from the different regions of the country, the Tayo ang Kalikasan Movement was launched at the Plaza del Norte Hotel and Convention Center on Tuesday with a symbolic signing of covenant to take an active role in the preservation of the environment.
“The aim of this movement is to improve our environmental condition. It is not just the DENR who is doing it, all of us should help each other to show that we are concerned about our environment,” said Atty. Jonas Leones, DENR Undersecretary for Policy, Planning and International Affairs, who is also the co-chairman of the Task Force Tayo ang Kalikasan.
Highlighting the movement as collaborative endeavor between the government and the people, DENR Undersecretary Rodolfo Garcia said mobilizing the citizenry to promote environmental stewardship is a tedious and challenging process.
But Garcia said the time is now to act for the sake of the environment and for the future generation.
Meanwhile, DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu reiterated to all concerned groups and individuals to abide by the law and prevent environmental degradation.
As chairperson of the newly-created committee on sustainable tourism, Cimatu said all resorts all over the country should have their own separate sewage and drainage system and ensure that proper waste segregation and disposal.
“The improper utilization of environment led to the closure of Boracay. We are there to restore it because the water around the island is dirty. The sewage system is already old and needs to be replaced and connected to the drainage so that it will not go directly to the sea,” said Cimatu.(PNA)
