“The youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow” –Nelson Mandela

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 6 believes that the youth today are the solution of the future environmental problems thus, the Community ENR Office of Cadiz City conducted an Environmental Awareness Orientation for the Youth at Philippine Normal University-Visayas on October 19 to 20, 2021.

Participants were the SK Chairpersons, members of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines, Tayo Ang Kalikasan-ENR Ambassadors and volunteers. The orientation was held to equip the participants with information on environmental laws, climate change as well as the projects and priority programs of the department.

CENR Officer of Cadiz City, Mamad Gandarosa Jr, welcomed all participants and acknowledged their important role as the hope of the future, not just on the environmental concerns but also to the other important matters, that can benefit many.

Retired Judge Frances Guanzon and Councilor Cedrick  John Olvido represented  Mayor Salvador G. Escalante, Jr., who congratulated and encouraged the youth to be the steward of environmental protection. He also thanked the Department’s involvement of youth to create positive and significant changes in their community.

Lectures on the Role of the Youth in Environment Protection, LGU initiatives to Biodiversity Conservation, Land Classification and Administration, Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act (RA 9147), Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (RA 9003) and Northern Negros Natural Park (NNNP) were presented and discussed by DENR-CENRO Cadiz, City Environment and Natural Resources Offices and PENRO Negros Occidental personnel.

Mary Rose Tayo, PIO of DENR-CENRO Cadiz led and coordinated with the City Environment Office for the orientation to be conducted in support to the continuing Communication, Education and Public Awareness Program (CEPA) of the Office.

Signing of their Pledge of Commitment was done after they gave their impressions highlighted the event.

“Youth voices are stronger and louder in today’s generation. It is their time to be aware of what is happening in our environment and natural resources. It is their youthful vigor they can use to pursue what is good for the ones that follows after them,” said RED Livino B. Duran.

A tree growing activity was conducted to conclude the activity for the participants to fully appreciate and value the rich biodiversity that the province possesses. It helps strengthen their awareness on the wild flora and fauna, the multitude of benefits that conservation provides to people and the need to reinforce the fight against illegal activities. A total of 100 seedlings (70 Mahogany and 30 Molave) was planted in the area of family contractor Ruben Barcelona at So. Margarita, Brgy. Caduhaan, Cadiz City.

Secretary Roy A. Cimatu once said that “the choices we all make in our everyday lives affect the kind of environment we want our children and our children’s children to live in.”

Information Education and Communication (IEC) materials on proper Solid Waste Management, bamboo and protection of wildlife were also distributed to the participants./