Partnership: A Call for Environment
By: Grace Libong, GPC-ENRO | Photos By: Angela Clemia Claro, PG-ENRO | Date: March 23, 2021
ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION. Over 40 tour guides of Tangadan Falls and Amontoc Barangay Officials join the Provincial Government - Environment and Natural Resources Office in the conduct of a Tree Planting Cum Clean-up Program activity in celebration of the World Water Day and International Day of the Forest on March 23, 2021 at Tangadan Falls, San Gabriel, La Union.
Over 40 Tour Guides of Tangadan Falls and Barangay Officials of Amontoc joins the Provincial Government - Environment and Natural Resources Office (PG-ENRO) in the conduct of Tree Planting Cum Clean-up Program activity in celebration of the World Water Day and International Day of the Forest on March 23, 2021 at Tangadan Falls, San Gabriel, La Union.
International Day of the Forest (IDF) is celebrated every March 21 while the International World Water Day (IWWD) is celebrated every March 22. IDF, with the theme "Forest Restoration: A Path to Recovery and Well-Being," aimed to raise awareness on the importance of all types of forests. On the other hand, IWWD, with the theme “Valuing Water,” aimed at focusing attention on the importance of water and supports the sustainable management of water resources.
In the development process, the need to hasten partnership is very crucial because many of the environmental issues cannot not be addressed by regulation alone. Partnering proactive volunteers implies a consensus-based approach that leads to better quality outcomes. Involving local resource users in a collective process of actively and intentionally taking responsibility for natural resources is far better than imposing environmental penalties prompting the PG-ENRO to strengthen its partnership with proactive LGUs.
The partnership outcome has resulted in an enrichment planting of 150 native forest and fruit trees of mabolo, antipolo, yakal, and rambutan along ways of tangadan falls. Further, care and maintenance were also communicated to nearby houses to ensure survival after planting. Likewise, to ensure safety protocol, the group was divided in two groups for planters and waste pickers. An estimated 8 kilos of residual waste dominated by plastic bottles along the way and nearby tangadan falls. Given the little amount of waste collected, it is observed that the area has at least maintained its title as one of the cleanest and greenest inland bodies of water. The waste was then handed to barangay officials for proper disposal.
Forest and water resources are the natural habitat of flora and fauna and to protect these, we must encourage and strengthen partnership with proactive partners in organizing activities and campaigns involving forests and water resources management.
