By: Adela G. Ida
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) held the occasion of “Earth Day” at the Main Building Social Hall, Visayas Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City on April 22, 2016.
The highlights of the event was the signing of Philippine Earth Day Covenant, represented by its head of other National Government Agencies and other stakeholders in the environment sector and with full support of the Local Government Units (LGU) in Metro Manila most especially the LGU of Quezon City as well as the Philippine League of Governors.
It is obvious that Philippines is one of the highest vulnerable to climate change. That is why concerted efforts are being done by different agencies to protect our environment. They have committed by participating in decision-making in order to ensure that our country is well prepared and ready for the impact of climate change which is already within our grasp.
To coincide with the event, Secretary Ramon Paje of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) delivered his PH Statement in behalf of the President Noynoy Aquino. Likewise, he signed the UN Pact at New York. The invitation was sent by the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon. The signing of the UN act was well attended and participated in by 55 Climate Ambassadors of different countries.
One of the measures to help mitigate the climate change is total emission reduction that include greater use of cleaner and renewable energy, improved mass transport services, efficient waste management, reforestation and forest protection.
Another measures is the National Greening Program (NGP) which has a positive impact in mitigating climate change. In the latest report, 1.5 million hectares of forest have been planted with trees from the period covering 2011 up to 2016.
Secretary Paje had assured that our country would continue to work with other countries affected by global warming not only today but for the rest of the time.
