DENR’s ‘Beat the Heat’ campaign

Cebu City (31 May)—The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) in the region will celebrate June as Environment Month with “Beat the Heat, Let Us Work Towards a Safer Climate!” theme campaign.

In a forum, Atty. Isabelo Montejo, Regional Technical Director for Forest Management Service explained that we need to do something to protect planet earth from climate change that we are experiencing right now.

“This Climate Change or global warming is one of the greatest threats that the human race is facing today. I encourage everyone to participate in our programs and activities specifically in promoting safety and healthy environment so we can move on towards sustainable development,” Montejo said.

According to DENR that on June 5, 2007 at 6:30am, it will spearhead a Walk-A-Thon For the Environment called “Oplan Baktas” that will start from the DENR office at Banilad, Cebu City to SM-City. Government agencies, private and religious sectors are enjoined to walk with them.

The event aims to (a) raise the awareness and information on Global Warming and Climate Change issues; (b) while participants are walking (BAKTAS), the Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (CITOM) will instruct all the private and public utility vehicles that are plying along the walk route to stop and turn-off their engine to dramatize and lessen the amount of greenhouse gases emission for several minutes; (c) highlight the value of unity towards saving the environment; and (d) health aspect.

Other activities include tree planting, radio guestings, mine tour, symposia, exhibits and awarding of recognition to individuals and institutions that have created impact projects for the environment.

Meantime, Atty. Noel Empleo, OIC Chief of DENR-Legal and Information Education explained why the Environment Month celebration falls in June. According to him, it was on June 5, 1972 that the International Environment Day was first celebrated worldwide. “Each one of us has the individual responsibility to protect our environment,” Empleo added.

Atty. Montejo on the other hand stressed that the projected changes in climate are expected to have both beneficial and adverse effects on water resources, agriculture, natural ecosystems and human health.

“But the larger the changes in climate, the more the adverse effects will be. Human populations are expected to face increasing flooding, heat waves and infectious diseases will increase. However, this problem can still be averted if each one of us will cooperate and respond to the call of caring our Mother Earth.” Montejo concluded. (PIA7-Cebu/hfg)