viewpoint by racquel m. caldez

Kalikasan Update on its 13th Year: The Advocacy Continues!
True to the commitment of providing people with opportunities for their environmental awareness, the Kalikasan Update recently turned to its 13 years of producing quality newsletter.
The Kalikasan Update is the official paper of DENR Isabela, with a dedication to help improve the dissemination of DENR information, programs and innovative environmental projects to the community and society.
Indeed, we are reminded that these years of blessings are supposed to be the most precious and enduring because for this simple reason we are able to share our piece of writing which in any way persuades the public to care for the natural environment.
But what do we look forward to after this celebration?
We look forward to be among the exceptional who do not only demonstrate excellence in disseminating information, but more importantly, display exemplary advocacy, leadership and compassionate involvement anchored on good moral values in fighting the battle against environmental destruction.
Advocacy? What really is this thing? We understand that it is the organization and deliberate use of information to persuade a specific audience to take action.
Yes, we are one in our quest in creating a new world order in the environmental battle arena. That, amidst the awe and wonder we have of the fruits of the scientific and technological progress, the information and communication revolution which have dramatically changed our lives, our ways of thinking and feeling, may this simple gesture be a driving force for others to take action.
We must directly represent, defend, intervene, support or recommend a course of action for the justice that Mother Earth deserves.
We shall continue to expand organized efforts of partners and stakeholders and mobilize them into action. We shall get the commitment of the public to act on the problem or issue of environmental destruction and degradation.
Yet, at the same time, we are afraid that with the world embracing the culture of greed and violence, people were not educated to become fully human, or were enabled to develop all the powers and faculties of the whole person. There is a realization that overemphasis on carelessness led to the neglect of the environment.
But this persuades us for the determination to consider the place and role of sharing our minds through the written articles. We must continue our environmental involvement, where media enforces environmental values, that we might have less fear, more cooperation, more learning in environmental care.
We continue to promote concern for the environment. Information can enhance adoption of new, environmentally friendly technologies. May we achieve superior environmental performance while supporting our main principles of protection, conservation, and preservation.
For thirteen years, we have fed the public with so much knowledge and information but we hope that they have not lost their sense of appreciation. We make sure that they are informed, and yet necessarily inspired. Inspired to act.
Indeed, we all deserve to receive a gift. Undoubtedly, the DENR administrators and personnel are trying to give the best gift of programs and policies which we could use in our endeavours of caring for the environment. Which in return, as stakeholders and advocates, we give them our gifts of perseverance, respect, discipline and more.
I guess what we have to learn in all of this is to celebrate the good parts of our accomplishments. Likewise, we must not forget to remember, give and share to those who were affected by the typhoons, floods and landslides, and to those who were affected by the carelessness of the many in heeding the call of Mother Earth.
And we should be made to realize that the earth is the Lord’s noblest creation and the fullest thereof, that, even our life and all that we acquire are entrusted to us by God for our stewardship.