Gov’t, firms bat for ecology

Environment Secretary Ramon Paje. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Three major government departments, a top university, a leading broadcaster and an environmental watchdog have committed themselves to the cause of the environment and the socioeconomic uplift of Filipino communities through ecotourism and agriculture.

To this end, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Tourism (DOT), Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU), ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. and ABS-CBN Foundation’s (AFI) Bantay Kalikasan have launched Green Initiative with the aim of protecting the country’s biodiversity and at the same time eradicate poverty.

Under the partnership, the DENR, DA, DOT, ADMU and AFI will carry out individual strategies aimed at improving the quality of life in communities in Romblon this year and Bicol in 2014.

The DENR, through Secretary Ramon Paje, has committed to build the infrastructure to protect the project sites.

“The Green Initiative is more than just an initiative. Ecotourism is the only activity that can generate income for the country without exploiting its natural resources,” said Paje.

He announced the DENR will release P10 million for Mt. Mantalingahan in southern Palawan and another P10 million for Mt. Guiting-guiting on Sibuyan Island, Romblon. The money will go to hire forest guards and set up educational forest trails.

The DOT, through Secretary Ramon Jimenez, committed to facilitate tourism infrastructure and complementary investments through the Department of Public Works and Highways.

“Our role is to create positive awareness for these ecotourism sites. We create positive awareness of local and international tourists and, more importantly, we create awareness within the government itself,” Jimenez said.

The DA, through Secretary Proceso Alcala, committed to provide the infrastructure needed to uplift agricultural production, while the Ateneo through Fr. Jett Villarin will churn out baseline data and monitor the projects.

The Philippine Medical Association, through its president, Dr. Leo Olarte, has also committed to conduct medical and dental missions for the indigenous people at the ecotourism sites.

The Miss Earth Foundation, meanwhile, will support the public relations and marketing aspects of Green Initiative while ABS-CBN will facilitate media exposure for the projects.

“There is no single person or institution that can bring this country forward but if there are many key institutions and people that believe in their heart that this is the way to go and commit to it—in truth, in service and the common good —I have no doubt in my mind that our country is going to see a brilliant future,” Gina Lopez, ABS-CBN Foundation managing director, said.