ENVIRONMENTAL CHAMPIONS HONORED

To launch existing restoration efforts and commend environmental champions who contributed to the reforestation within the Cagayan de Oro River Basin, the Cagayan de Oro River Basin Management Council (CDORBMC) conducted a ceremony dubbed as Greening Pinning on September 2, 2019 in Cagayan de Oro City.

Organizations with restoration efforts in the area symbolically pinned their logos on the Cagayan de Oro River Basin map signifying to take the responsibility in the rehabilitation and protection of the pinned location.

Organizations with exiting restoration efforts include national government agencies, local government units, business sectors, indigenous peoples’ organizations, civil society organizations, academe and the religious sector. The activity also welcomed new participants who committed to expand the reach of the project.

DENR 10 Regional Executive Director Arleigh J. Adorable represented the Agency by pinning the DENR logo on the map as representation of support to the sustainable management of river basin and the expansion of forest cover and reforestation efforts in Region 10. In his message, Adorable stated that from 2010 to present, DENR has invested 475 million pesos through the National Greening Program, Community-Based Forest Management and the Integrated Natural Resources and Environmental Management Project.

DENR 10 is also actively lobbying for the Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES), an alternative sustainable financial mechanism that engages indigenous and urban communities in the stewardship of natural resources. PES, as reiterated by CDORBMC Executive Director Dr. Hilly Ann Roa-Quiaoit, is the ultimate act of paying back to the environment as the source of all ecological services.

Archbishop Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ, D.D., Chair of CDORBMC called on all representatives from the public and private sectors to share their resources to care for the environment. Archbishop Ledesma referred to Pope Francis’ second encyclical, Laudatu Si, and encouraged everyone to care for our common home, the Cagayan de Oro River Basin.

Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar S. Moreno graced the activity and lauded the efforts of the CDORBMC in bringing together the different stakeholders to a common goal of protecting the environment.

The Cagayan de Oro River Basin Management Council is the governing body for the operation, supervision and management of the Cagayan de Oro River Basin established in 2010 through the initiative of Archbishop Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ, D.D. #TayoAngKalikasan (RSCIS MR No. 08-237-2019)

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