Online environment group launched

CEBU, Philippines - Former Senator Juan Miguel “Migs” Zubiri and Governor Gwendolyn Garcia led the launching of Pilipinas Ecowarriors in Cebu, the first in the Visayas, at the Ayala Center Cebu last Sunday evening.

Ecowarriors is an online-based environmental organization promoting environmental protection.

“This is just one step further to making environmental protection a way of life,” said Zubiri.

With a standing memorandum of agreement between ecowarriors and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the public may report environmental abuses and violations through its website www.ecowarriors.ph.

Zubiri encouraged the public to access the website where they can post photos and other specifics for them to report to DENR.

“Be ecowarriors because we have only one planet left. We must fight for its survival,” he said.

Zubiri said that they will give feedback to the complainants and if DENR will not act on it, they will file a lawsuit against the agency or carry out a shame campaign against those will not act on the complaints.

Garcia expressed support to the advocacy of the organization.

“Right now, let us make this a commitment: Beware illegal poachers, illegal loggers, all of you who would seek to destroy the beautiful environment of Cebu, you have us as your enemies,” warned Garcia.

During his stint as senator, Zubiri authored/sponsored laws advocating environment, from renewable energy, bio-fuel, to wildlife protection, and others, as well as headed conservation efforts like the Deer Foundation and Katala Foundation in Palawan. 

Meanwhile, more than a hundred participants attended the foot parade as the DENR-7 kicked-off of the month-long environment month celebration.

Organized by the DENR-7, the said activity highlighted the national celebration of June, with the theme: “Global Economy: Does it include you?”

It also serves as a venue for consultation with the various stakeholders on the protection, rehabilitation, conservation and governance of the country’s environment and natural resources.

For the past 24 years, the Philippines has been celebrating the month of June as Environment Month pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 237.

“This is to spotlight and encourage governments, organizations, communities and individuals to actively engage in addressing challenges of our fragile environment,” said DENR-7 Regional Executive Director Maximo Dichoso.

The United Nations Environment Program defines the green economy as one that results in improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities.

He urged everyone to reduce their carbon footprint by cutting down their electrical consumption, thus lessening emissions generated from carbon dioxide and fossil fuel.

Today, is World Environment Day which was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972 to mark the opening of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment. Another resolution, adopted by the General Assembly the same day, led to the creation of the UNEP.  (FREEMAN)