Atty. Gloria Estenzo-Ramos
It was one of those moments destined to remain etched in one’s memories for a long time. I am referring to the dazzling Culmination Program of the 25th Provincial Environment Week of the Negros Occidental provincial government, hosted by its Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO) on June 23 in Bacolod City.
It was also the occasion to award the Seal of Good Environmental Governance to the stakeholders and the Tañon Strait’s Ocean Heroes Awards and Best-managed Marine Protected Area.
Four community leaders in Tañon Strait were honored as the 2017 Ocean Heroes for championing conservation, coastal law enforcement and sustainable fisheries. They are Virgilio Aviso from Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental’s Renato Buenviaje, Cebu’s Mariano Sarcol and woman leader Jocelyn Moya-Hekrdle.
Recognition was also given to Tañon Strait Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), which are effectively-managed through strong local government and community collaboration. These MPAs, led by the first prize awardee, the Bindoy municipality represented by Mayor Valente Yap, are now providing a wide range of environmental, social and economic benefits for coastal communities.
The Expanded Ocean Heroes Awards is a partnership among the provinces of Cebu, Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the Tañon Strait protected area office, and the Vibrant Oceans Initiative partners, Rare and Oceana.
The host, through Governor Alfredo Maranon Jr., and the young and dynamic lawyer and PEMO head, Wilmon Peñalosa, had their hands full interacting with the participants, partners and guests who came in droves, from various cities and municipalities in the Negros Island Region, Cebu, Metro Manila and other parts of the country.
It was one of the well-attended and meaningful green recognition events we were privileged to be part of. After all, hobnobbing with heroes does not take place every day.
Positive energy amid the colorful fiesta atmosphere prevailed, participated in by almost 2000 men and women from government, non-government organizations, people’s organizations and the private sector who share the collective vision of protecting our planet and of course, our people for a sustainable today and tomorrow.
Most knew one another as the world of environmental advocacy in the country is an inter-connected one, not unlike our natural life support systems.
The gentlemen were garbed in their attractive Barong Tagalog and the ladies resplendent in assorted designs of traditional and modern Filipiniana dresses, definitely a far cry from our usual working clothes.
But then the occasion called for it. It was a celebration of achievements and for the heroes who made them possible.
The activity’s theme “25 years of Connecting People to Nature” was most apt and quite significant. One of the distinguished guests was former Negros Occidental governor Rafael Coscolluela who established the PEMO in 1992. He shared that the province was among the first in the country to set up a distinct environment management office.
It is now reaping the seeds sown when it took on the leadership role in protecting the environment.
It should be borne in mind that RA 9160, the Local Government Code of 1991, devolved essential services and functions of the national government to the local government, hand in hand with fiscal autonomy.
Thus, the local government units have the 40% share of the national income as their internal revenue allotment which the national government is mandated to release unconditionally.
Among the services to be delivered by the LGUs is environmental protection. Alas, there is disharmony in the law, its goals and its application as the environment office and officers are made optional under the Code.
One can just imagine the bargaining that happened in the legislative mill when the Local Government Code as a bill went through deliberations in Congress.
How can an essential office for the protection of the right of the constituents to a balanced and healthful ecology be made dependent on the whims of the political authorities who have yet to know and appreciate the importance of nature and our duty as stewards?
This is one of the reasons why our environmental laws are not given the importance that they deserve, at the local level. There was and sadly, still is, for not so few, a lack of a great sense of responsibility to protect the environment and the people’s rights.
But, Negros Occidental stood out among the rest as it saw how critical and crucial an environment management office is to the well-being of the constituents. The rest, as they say, is history — a big triumph for the planet and the people.
The awarding by the province of the Seal of Good Environmental Governance to hundreds of exemplary local government units, schools, organizations, and individuals who have been involved in outstanding practices on environmental conservation and protection is a testimony in how far Negros Occidental has achieved in integrating sustainable development in its policies, programs and practice. The Task Force Lawod of the province of Negros Occidental qualifies as the country’s model in effective law enforcement.
Governor Maranon Jr. reminisced that he and former secretary Angelo Alcala were like voices in the wilderness when they started working on establishing marine protected areas in the 70’s. Now, there has been a major shift in how people look at their responsibilities to protect nature.
Congratulations to all concerned. Here’s to healthy and vibrant ecosystems that nurture us and the future generations.
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