Negrenses to stage ‘Walk for Environment’

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – In response to the call of Pope Francis to protect the environment, about 2,000 Negrenses will join the two-day “Walk for the Environment” initiated by the Diocese of Bacolod.

The 47-kilometer walk from this city to the town of Don Salvador Benedicto will start tomorrow and will be participated by members of the academe and the parishes of San Carlos City and Kabankalan as well as this city’s.

Fr. Ernie Larida of Bacolod Dioceses-Social Action Center said the activity would be in solidarity and support to the Conference of Parties (COP) 21 in Paris, a summit that tackles climate change.

“This is inspired by the encyclical Laudato Si and the Pope’s call for citizens to mobilize demand among leaders and negotiators to take actions in favor of the poor and the planet,” Larida said.

Themed, “Every Person, Every Step Counts,” the activity will kick off with a mass at 5 a.m. at the Pope John Paul II Tower located at the Reclamation Area here.

The walk will pass through the parishes in the villages of Libertad and Mansilingan before proceeding for an overnight campout in Murcia.

“We are encouraging residents to join the walk and march peacefully,” Larida said.

On Sunday, participants will resume the walk toward Don Salvador Benedicto, where it will be concluded with a tree-growing activity on a five-hectare property.