INTERIOR SECRETARY Eduardo Año has ordered all local governments and the police to crack down on illegal logging operations and quarrying and to plant more trees following deadly typhoons that hit the country in recent weeks.
Año said the police and local governments must prioritize the protection of the environment. “We must act quickly and in a whole-of-society fashion to protect our remaining forests across the country otherwise we are creating and causing more disasters for our country,” he said.
“The flooding brought by Typhoon Ulysses is a harsh reminder that we are failing at doing our level best to protect the environment, especially our remaining forest cover. Kayat inaatasan ko ang lahat ng PNP units at LGUs na pigilan ang illegal logging at illegal quarrying sa kanilang mga nasasakupan.”
Año cited the widespread flooding in Cagayan Valley, Bicol and Rizal provinces, Marikina City and in other parts of the country and said “it should be a wake-up call to all of us that we must protect our remaining forest cover, preserve our rich biodiversity, and allow our forests to regenerate and grow again.”
He directed local chief executives and the police to reactivate their local anti-illegal logging task forces in coordination with the Provincial and Community Environment and Natural Resources Office.
“All LGUs must reactivate their local Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force and be decisive in implementing the anti-illegal logging campaign and implementation of environmental laws and programs within their localities,” he said.
He also directed the police to set up checkpoints and arrest illegal loggers who violate the Revised Forestry Code or the “Unlawful Occupation or Destruction of Forest Lands and Grazing Lands.”
“It is imperative that we must stop the wanton destruction of our remaining forest resources not only for our sake but also for future generations who will suffer the consequences of our inaction,” Año said.
Zamboanga is ‘Vida’
In Zamboanga City, even before Año’s order Mayor Beng Climaco, an environment advocate, has already put up the “Siembra Vida Program” and P50 million funding for this is included in the 2021 Executive Budget.
The program is intended to provide training, livelihood and caravan projects, including activities of the agri-fishery sector. But Climaco said opposition councilors have not, until now, approve the environment program.
Siembra Vida is only one of many programs of the local government intended to benefit the people. Among the other ‘Vida” programs are the “Largo Vida” which will get P187 million from the budget.
And
also part of the local government’s social services is the “Ayuda La Vida
Program,” which will have P65 million budget next year to provide various
sectors with livelihood programs, including those in the night market and
“ukay-ukay” stall owners.
The
“Cuida Vida Program” or Soup Kitchen Program will have P50 million allocation
to cover mobile feeding initiative in a bid to sustain the daily meals of the
marginalized and most affected families of the Covid-19 pandemic.
An
allocation of P50 million is also included in the budget for the “Salva Vida
Program” which is intended to provide food packs and hygiene kits to low-income
families in disadvantaged rural and urban communities in the different
barangays.
Climaco
said the 2021 Executive Budget is a unique
configuration of fiscal plans which assimilate all the previously identified
needs of the City and the new challenges brought about by the pandemic.
“This
budget encompasses all of our social and health-related needs during this
crisis. It aims to feed the hungry and heal the sick, hence let us listen to
the needs of our people and find it in our hearts to see that this is more than
a fiscal plan – it is our roadmap to health and recovery from the global
challenge, that is Covid-19,” she said.
In July,
Climaco urged residents to plant more trees and
beautify their yards and surroundings and at the same time help fight air
pollution. She explained that trees give off oxygen which is beneficial to
health, especially at this time the country is fighting the Covid-19 pandemic.
She also ordered the Office of the City Environment and
Natural Resources (OCENR) to distribute forest and fruit tree seedlings to
barangay officials and environmentalists who participated in the observance of
Arbor Day - an activity in which individuals and groups are encouraged to plant
trees.
The mayor said the local government’s “greening program” was
based on the OCENR's “Family Approach Greening at Home Project” where families
are enjoined to engage in planting activities in their respective vacant spaces
with expected vital impact for health and wellness of communities.
Climaco said Zamboanga remains one of the best
cities in the country that have thick vegetation and forests whose mountains
are covered with greens because of the strict environmental laws the local
government is enforcing, and the natural love of Zamboangueños for their
surroundings.
She said aside from trees, residents can also
start growing their own vegetable garden either in their backyards or in
containers, adding, it can save money on monthly food bill.
Gardening is also a natural stress reliever
because being outside in the fresh air and sunshine can improve mood and make
one feel rejuvenated and happy, according to Climaco, citing the benefit of
growing a vegetable garden.
She said during the weeks Zamboanga was in a
strict quarantine measure, residents resorted to planting vegetable and
ornamental plants, and even various barter sites on Facebook offer plants in
exchange for food items and groceries. “Let us plants trees and grow our own
vegetable garden and we feel happy by what we do,” Climaco said.
Climaco’s modest house in Barangay Santa Maria
is also adorned with various species of plants and trees which are home to
different birds. (Zamboanga Post)
Like Us on Facebook: The Mindanao Examiner
Like Us on Facebook: The Zamboanga Post
Follow Us on Twitter: Mindanao Examine
Mirror Site: Mindanao Examiner Blog
Digital Archives: Mindanao Examiner Digital
Media Rates: Advertising Rates
