PGLU JOINS 3RD PIESTA TI KARAYAN AMBURAYAN
By: Grace Libong, GPC-ENRO | Photos By: GPC-ENRO | Date: July 2, 2021
The Provincial Government of La Union joins the Annual Piesta ti Karayan Amburayan, facilitated by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources -Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) and participated in by the Governing Board, Executive Committee, Technical Working Group and Multi-Sectoral Group of the Lower Amburayan River System–Water Quality Management Area (LARS–WQMA) on July 2, 2021 at Alilem, Ilocos Sur.
The Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) joins the Governing Board, Executive Committee, Technical Working Group, and Multi-Sectoral Group of the Lower Amburayan River System–Water Quality Management Area (LARS–WQMA) in the celebration of the Annual Piesta ti Karayan Amburayan on July 2, 2021, at Alilem, Ilocos Sur. The activity serves as an avenue for an environmental campaign wherein all concerned Local Government Units (LGUs) participate and conduct simultaneous tree planting (Batog Nan Mulaan Nan) and clean-up drive (Batog Nan Dalusan Nan) campaigns.
The declaration of the Piesta ti Karayan Amburayan was created thru LARS-WQMA Governing Board Resolution No. 1 series 2018. It aims to sustain the protection, conservation, management, and rehabilitation of the river system.
Aside from the simultaneous tree planting and clean-up drive activity, LARS-WQMA Governing Board was also convened for a short program at the Municipal Hall, Alilem, IIocos Sur. In his virtually inspirational message, Gov. Francisco Emmanuel R. Ortega III emphasized the cultural mark of Ilocano Epic "Biag ni Lam ang" in connection to the preservation of the Karayan Amburayan as an environmental sanctuary thru the concerted efforts of the province of La Union, Ilocos Sur, and Benguet, of course with the help of the DENR. He further stated that the healing of the environment lies greatly in coming together, for he always believes that people are not apart from nature but a part of it. Moreover, he specified the continuous abundant water source crucial for agriculture, among others, and the urgent need to intensify public awareness and participation in protecting the Amburayan river and all water bodies in the three provinces.
The activity was facilitated by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources -Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB).
DENR-EMB Dir. Maria Dorica Naz Hipe also talked about sustaining the said WQMA amidst the COVID- 19 Pandemic and the importance of Governing Board's full support and people participation.
On the same day, the Luzon Hydro Corporation and Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University distributed 850 seedlings to nine LGUs. Ceremonial tree planting was also conducted at Barangay Dalawa, Alilem, Ilocos Sur
The Lower Amburayan River System (LARS) was designated as Water Quality Management Area (WQMA) by virtue of DENR Administrative Oder No. 3 series of 2018. The concerned LGUs include the Municipalities of Bangar, Santol, and Sudipen in La Union Province and the Municipalities of Alilem, Cervantes, Sigay, Sugpon, Suyo, and Tagudin, in the Province of Ilocos Sur.
Despite the CoViD-19 pandemic and with the guidance of the DENR, LARS-WQMA Governing Board managed to convene virtually every quarter to implement its sustainability plan.
Present in the said activity were Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer (CENRO) For. Alfredo Racoma, Ms. Reenilita N. Avecilla, DENR-Region 1 representative, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources (PENRO) of Ilocos Sur, the host municipality (Alilem) Mayor Hon. Velmor P. Sumabat, Hon. Wendy Joy D. Buquing of the municipality of Sudipen, La Union, and representatives from the six LGUs of Ilocos Sur.
Gov. Pacoy calls to force ahead in harmony with nature and take action in defending our home, ensuring our future generation will have a better place to live in, a healthy and stronger province worth living in.
