Cagayan SK officials participate in environmental youth camp
By Ellalyn De Vera-Ruiz
Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials from 10 coastal towns of Cagayan province engaged in sustainable outdoor activities to enhance their environmental sensitivity and social relationship.
In the environmental youth camp held in Claveria town, the youth leaders participated in a coastal cleanup and tree-planting activities of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Cagayan Valley.
The municipality of Claveria was awarded second runner-up in the “Malinis at MasaganangKaragatan,” a national search for the most outstanding coastal community in 2017.
In his message, DENR provincial chief Ismael Manaligod said the agency acknowledges the role of the youth in spreading the message of environmental protection and resource conservation.
“The youth are key influencers in environmental advocacy. You have the power in pushing the agenda in order for all Filipinos to be aware of environmental issues facing the country and our communities, and consequently take actions,” Manaligod said as he discussed the drivers of deforestation and threats to terrestrial and marine biodiversity.
During the three-day event, the young officers had the opportunity to share their best practices in environmental protection for possible replication in other coastal municipalities.
These include a fashion show, coastal and river cleanups, “bayongmo, bitbitmo,” garbage in-garbage out, mini vermicomposting per household, mangrove forest rehabilitation, proper solid waste management, tree planting, and energy conservation.
The participants were also treated to a tour of a portion of the 900-hectare marine protected area along Brgy. Taggat Norte, where they were able to interact with the Taggat Norte Fisherfolk Association, an active people’s organization (PO) partner of the DENR in coastal resource management.
The PO members imparted success stories and best practices, particularly on the management and protection of the 21-hectare marine sanctuary, a no-take zone breeding ground of fishes.
The participants were also given an orientation on policy formulation by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) where they were required to craft resolutions on the environment.
Local Government Operations Officer Luis Udanga said that environmental protection is one of the aspects in the assessment for the Seal of Good Local Governance by the DILG.
He challenged the SK officials to check on the Ecological Solid Waste Management committee in their respective barangays.