DENR, GINNA spearhead removal of campaign posters on trees
THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), headed by provincial environment and natural resources officer (PENRO) Juan Delos Reyes, and the newly organized Green Ilocos Norte Network and Advocacy (GINNA) spearheaded the removal of election campaign posters and other placards nailed on trees in an effort to inspire awareness on environment protection and conservation during the kick-off celebration of the 37th Earth Day anniversary, which will be observed for the first time in Ilocos Norte for the whole month of April. After a simple program held at the DENR-Ilocos Norte office on April 14, the group, composed of environment advocates from the church, academe, non-government and business organizations, representatives from the Philippine National Police PNP) and the Commission on Elections (Comelec), and members of the local tri-media conducted a motorcade along Laoag City proper, carrying banners and streamers localizing Earth Day’s nationwide theme of “Stewards-in-Action,” translated into the vernacular as “Aywanan ti Aglawlaw,” which means caring for the environment. The Earth Day celebration launching activity on April 14 highlighted the official proclamation of GINNA, a multi-sectoral group, as partner of the government to institutionalize environment advocacy in Ilocos Norte and the removal of posters nailed on trees from the southern towns of Badoc, Pinili, Currimao, Batac and San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte. The same group will also be touring on another date the northern part of the province to continue with their work. Shermon Cruz, GINNA president, reported that the province’s observance of Earth Day is intended to inspire awareness and appreciation of the environment among Ilocanos. GINNA aims to promote the seven eco-battles against earth abuse such as clean air, clean water, water security, sustainable extraction, biodiversity conservation, climate change reversal and garbage-free communities. Organized by members who share a common cause, GINNA is expected to promote environment citizenship and to conduct a province-wide and all-year round progressive environmental actions against mining, illegal logging, illegal fishing and other activities that contribute to environment degradation. Among the activities of the Earth Day celebration this April include the film viewing of former US Vice President Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth,” a film about global warming and its adverse effects to the earth and to mankind; a forum on eco-governance, street mass and vigil, coastal/creek clean-up, media tours and the playing environmental songs by local bands. Leilanie G. Adriano
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