ILAGAN
City - Program Resources Management Office of the United States Agency for
International Development (USAID), Philippines Deputy Program Director Nora
Pinson lauded DENR Isabela for spearheading the 2015 Earth Day Celebration.
The
Director said she was elated that there is a robust pro-environment
constituency in Isabela as represented by the large number of participants who
joined the Advocacy walk from Saint Michael Church in Gamu to the Amphitheater of
the Provincial Capitol in Alibagu here.
“I
would also like to commend Governor Faustino Dy III, for his leadership in
celebrating Earth Day in Northern Sierra Madre, a high conservation area for
biodiversity and agricultural production,” Dir. Pinson said.
Pinson
further said that she heard about great work that the province of Isabela has
been doing to help conserve biodiversity with the active involvement of the
Isabela Environment Forest Protection Task Force in the Environmental Law
Enforcement Program.
“We
could not have chosen a better time and place to launch the “Bright Spots in
Hot Spots” campaign than here in Isabela as we commemorate the 45th anniversary
of Earth Day. Having witnessed your efforts, commitment and enthusiasm today, I
am confident that your collective actions through this campaign will yield
successful results. It is your time to lead, so lead well.” Dir. Pinson said in her parting message.
PENRO
William C. Savella thanked USAID for addressing the active threats to
biodiversity in the NSMNP in Isabela.
“It
comes down to making choices, chances and changes. It just takes a little
effort to change habits like planting a single tree monthly or yearly,
recycling wastes, saving water, switching off lights and fostering biodiversity
in the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park. It takes a little will to preserve
our natural resources and protect the environment. We can make a difference,”
PENRO Savella said in his opening remarks.
Through
USAID’s largest biodiversity and watershed project, Biodiversity Watershed
Improved for Stronger Economy and Ecosystem Resilience (B+WISER), jointly
developed science-based innovative conservation strategies to help curb
destructive practices of “kaingin” or slash and burn farming, unsustainable
fuel wood collection, and timber and wildlife poaching in the Protected Area’s
270,000-hectare forest.
The
Earth Day celebration was started in 1970 by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson from
Wisconsin, after witnessing the ravages of the 1969 massive oil spill in Santa
Barbara, California.
In
Isabela, PENRO and USAID launched the environmental campaign highlighting
BRIGHTSPOTS IN HOTSPOTS in the NSMNP.
Hundreds
of people in all walks of life demonstrated support for environmental
protection and pledge to help conserve the NSMNP.
