Atty. Gloria Ramos
I urgently appeal, then, for a new dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet. We need a conversation which includes everyone, since the environmental challenge we are undergoing, and its human roots, concern and affect us all. The worldwide ecological movement has already made considerable progress and led to the establishment of numerous organizations committed to raising awareness of these challenges. Regrettably, many efforts to seek concrete solutions to the environmental crisis have proved ineffective, not only because of powerful opposition but also because of a more general lack of interest. Obstructionist attitudes, even on the part of believers, can range from denial of the problem to indifference, nonchalant resignation or blind confidence in technical solutions. We require a new and universal solidarity.” – Pope Francis, Laudato Si #14
The foregoing words, culled from the much-lauded encyclical letter, Laudato Si, “On Care for Our Common Home,” issued by Pope Francis in May 2015, rings more urgent than ever in these trying times.
We need to work together — and fast — to stop the persistent, wanton and reckless destruction of the natural life-giving systems that provide life, livelihood and well-being to all 7.6 billion people on our shared home planet, including 103.3 million Filipinos.
It is not as if we are not seeing the visible signs of the dangerous impacts of our uncaring ways.
When it rains, our streets are transformed instantly into a floodway. Are there more of us who can immediately connect our lack of trees and a forest cover of less than 1% as a factor, apart from the unplanned projects and yes, the pervasive plastic pollution where perhaps only Mandaue City is showing the political will to change the behaviors of constituents through strict enforcement of its ordinance?
Many have died from landslides and flash floods. Are we even aware that Cebu is among the top 20 provinces in the country prone to landslides?
What policies and programs are in place to take this vulnerability into urgent consideration?
Take time to ask our artisanal fisherfolk and farmers who remain in the bottom rung of the poverty ladder for decades. Life is even getting harder for them due to the unpredictability of our weather. Strong typhoons destroy the rice and vegetables they planted and can no longer be sold.
With the prevailing challenges in our ocean and fish populations already in steady decline, exacerbated by the impacts of climate change, fishers are driven harder to opportunistic usurious lenders while family members become susceptible and easily lured into exploitative situations because of their deprived condition.
We cannot afford to continue to be in denial, apathetic and resigned and stay within the confines of our comfort zones. Action to stop the destruction and instead enhance our resiliency and that of our natural life support systems are never too late. Partnerships and collaboration are much needed to continue the gains and milestones made by stakeholders to stem the tide of ecological degradation.
On the part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cebu, in response to the appeal of Pope Francis in Laudato Si, and as an offshoot of the 51st International Eucharistic Congress held in Cebu in 2016, it created the International Eucharistic Congress-Committee on Environmental Concern (IEC-CEC).
The IEC-CEC seeks to ingrain in the consciousness of every Filipino citizen, including non-Catholics, the interconnectedness of human beings to other creatures and the environment and justice.
The IEC-CEC is now known as the Cebu Archdiocesan Commission on Environmental Concern (CACEC) last June 2017. CACEC is the coordinating and implementing arm of the various environmental conservation programs and advocacies of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cebu, especially in initiating parish-based environmental actions anchored on ecological spirituality, and chaired by Fr. Murphy Sarsonas.
It also promotes ecological spirituality to other faith groups, as taking care of the environment is part of the moral teachings of any religion.
Cebu Archbishop Jose D. Palma, representing the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cebu, forged an agreement to help ensure sustainable management of our oceans down to the parish level, with Oceana Philippines, an international non-government organization focused on marine conservation, represented by this columnist as its vice president. It is a highly stirring initiative that will augur well for the restoration of the health, richness and abundance of our oceans, initially at the waters surrounding Cebu province.
Archbishop Palma shared that he was a witness to the bounty of our oceans as a young seminarian who saw hundreds of banyeras of fish in Estancia, Iloilo, then known as the Alaska of the Philippines. He and his companions who became bishops felt so blessed to see our ocean then teeming of fish decades ago. Years later, the depleting catch of the sea became a growing concern. He emphasized the need to change our attitude, which comes from changing our minds and hearts, towards appreciation of the inter-connectedness of our living systems, and our taking action to protect them.
The Philippines is renowned as the center of the center of marine biodiversity but our marine wealth has not benefited our subsistence fisherfolk. It is high time that their voices are listened to by our policy-makers and we do our share by helping restore the health and vibrancy of our oceans.
As Archbishop Palma noted, if we just take care of our oceans, we can all benefit from its vast resources.
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