By Claro A. Lanipa
DUMALINAO, Zamboanga del Sur – “In a nutshell, the simplest thing to do to address climate change is to go back to the basic: plant and grow a tree,” Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Adelaida Borja told the students of Dumalinao National High School here.
In her message during the Information Education and Communication (IEC) Campaign on Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction held at the Dumalinao National High School on Friday, PENRO Borja said that it is not merely tree planting, but “tree planting and tree growing.”
“We must have to nurture and take care of the seedling we have planted,” Borja emphasized.
She said “every one of us is accountable for the impact of climate change; it’s everybody’s responsibility to protect the remaining natural resources.”
“The protection of our environment is not only the duty of the government, nor the work of Maam or Sir, not only the work of our barangay officials and other workers, but it is the duty of us all. So, let us help protect our environment,” Dr. Borja said.
“Every citizen shall see himself as part of a solution to environmental problems,” said the lady PENRO.
The activity was attended by some 500 students, teachers together with the barangay officials of Paglaum where the school is located.
Meanwhile, Roservirico Tan, chief, Regional Public Affairs Office discussed the strategies on Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation, National Greening Program and Biodiversity Conservation.
Other speakers were Maribel “Hasanah” Enriquez, Chief Meteorological Officer of PAGASA, who discussed Understanding Hydro-Meteorological Hazards while Joselito Casinillo of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD)-9 talked on Early Warning System and Building Emergency Evacuation Plan (BEEP). He also led the emergency drill.