Tandag City, Surigao del Sur (08 June 2016) – The DENR renewed its call to all Filipino people to help fight against biodiversity damage and protect wildlife in the country as the agency commemorates Philippine Environment Month.
DENR Sec. Ramon J.P. Paje urged every Filipino to help save and protect our environment and natural resources which are the vital sources of food, livelihood and leisure. He specifically call to protect the wildlife especially the Philippine Eagle as the national bird in commemorating the Philippine Eagle Week (PEW) on June 4 – 10 with the theme “Saving eagles, Protecting forests, Securing our future: Stop the Killings.”
“The Philippine Eagle is a unique heritage, found only in this part of the world that needs to be nurtured as it is the Filipino people’s gift to the global community,” Secretary Paje said. “There is a need to usher in a renewed commitment to protect the eagle and other wildlife from extinction and allow them to perpetuate for future generations,” he added.
In celebrating the whole month of June as Philippine Environment month, Secretary Paje encouraged everybody to renew its commitment and action on the critical role to save and protect the environment.
“We celebrate Environment Month this year with the renewed and strengthened conviction to care for the land we live on, the air we breathe, and the water which gives us life. More than any time in this planet’s history, it is now that we must put our acts together to combat increasing threats to our ecosystems,” Secretary Paje pointed out.
Meanwhile, Surigao del Sur OIC PENR Officer Raul Rosales appealed all Surigaonons to revive their dedication and support in the environmental initiatives and advocacies.
With this year’s Environment Month theme, “Go Wild for Life, Combat Biodiversity Loss. Beat Climate Change,” PENRO Rosales said that the fight against environmental crimes is the key to prevent biodiversity loss and mitigate global climate change.
“The fight against wildlife trade, illegal logging, and other environmental offences must continue with the help of everyone,” PENRO Rosales said. “The natural calamities brought by global climate change is the result of biodiversity loss and environmental crimes which has already affected our economy and livelihoods particular in agriculture and fisheries sectors. By reviving our commitments to save and protect our environment, we can restore our biodiversity, preserve our wildlife, beat climate change, and sustain the lives of people enjoying the natural resources and clean and healthy environment,” PENRO Rosales emphasized.
June is declared as the Philippine Environment Month per Presidential Proclamation No. 237 dated April 4, 1988. In DENR Caraga, line up activities for the month-long celebrations include the Alay Lakad sa Kalikasan (June 1); Poster Making Contest (June 1); commemoration of Philippine Eagle Week (June 4-10); Press Conference (June 6); Salida Festival (June 6); Youth Forum for Biodiversity (June 7); DENR 29th Anniversary Fiesta sa DENR Caraga (June 10); Simultaneous region-wide tree planting in commemorating Philippine National Arbor Day (June 24); Sports Festival and culmination program (June 28-30). (Johny S. Natad/ PENRO-SDS).
EnP Johny Natad Official Site 