Inspiring change”. The theme to celebrate the 17th anniversary of Cebu Daily News (CDN) on February 8 fits to a T. I could not think of a better catchphrase to encapsulate CDN’s unique contribution in the collective goals of uplifting the lives of our people and improving the quality of our ecosystems amid the grave challenges we all face. CDN is a valiant change agent that each of hundred million Filipinos should be.
CDN’s pivotal role not just in informing but stirring, stimulating and challenging stakeholders into serious thoughts, debates and galvanizing action through its unbiased, fearless and balanced reportage and transformative editorials is widely acknowledged and hailed. Tucked in its multi-awarded hat are local, national and international awards that speak of the enormous influence and importance that CDN has been and will continue to hold in the never-ending roller-coaster ride of living in vibrant Cebu and the rest of the region.
The birth of this column on environment and governance, eight years ago this month, still one of the few in the country, bares the innovative, far-sighted, bold and courageous spirit that guides the paper in fulfilling the vision of “Journalism that builds communities.”
In the past and unfortunately in the present, environmental issues are downplayed or are routinely set aside as the so-called “influential” persons or entities are, in the name of “development,” behind policies, programs and projects that create enormous devastation to our already tethering-on-the-edge life-support systems and the consequent havoc they bring upon the lives and livelihoods of our people, especially the marginalized sectors.
CDN does not blink and instead challenges political authorities and our citizens into mainstreaming ecological stewardship in their lives, especially as we are extremely vulnerable to the dangers posed by the climate crisis we are in. A shared responsibility it is. Alas, only a handful out of millions are willing to take it on as a lifetime commitment.
Through the years, I shared with networks and kept as treasures several clippings of CDN editorials and cartoons on the offshore drilling, coal, reclamation, waste (mis)management, illegal fishing and wildlife trade, disasters and other survival and sustainability issues that hopefully have encouraged our readers to choose to be part of the solution to our seemingly never-ending environment-related woes.
Judging from the motivating feedback received from family, friends, colleagues and the public, which are sources of strength especially in the most challenging of times, I would like to believe that CDN including this column enlightened minds on the “hot issues” in the governance landscape and seascape not just in Cebu and the nation but in the planet, as a whole. It might be a tough act juggling in between commitments and putting in focused time to reach out to as many of our stakeholders as we can and help craft informed decisions on public interest issues, but writing a column in CDN counts as one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
I clearly remember that day, when we had to scout for an internet café in the southern part of Cebu so I would be able to catch the deadline for my first column. It was the height of the oil-drilling controversy in Tanon Strait, specifically in Aloguinsan and Pinamungajan in Cebu which hosted the project. Environmental advocates, law students, lawyers and our most dedicated cetacean expert, Dr. Lemnuel Aragones, converged and met with the affected constituents and surveyed the waters of the protected seascape. It was part of the series of moving exposure activities. We learned a lot just listening to the affected fisherfolk and the sad plight of their families displaced by the drilling. We saw how laws for their and our protection were suspended in the name of “progress.” Our only armor then was shared passion which created miracles, among which was seeing the birth of Save Tanon Strait Citizens Movement. Stakeholders including the private sector joined forces to stop the drilling.
The fisherfolk and the resident whales and dolphins sued to protect their rights and save Tanon Strait in the Supreme Court. Media and of course, CDN, played key roles in heightening awareness about the issues. Eventually, the drilling company withdrew, a victory shared by all.
Eight years after, under a new administration, civil society and government are now partners in the crusade to protect Tanon Strait, the biggest protected seascape in the country. On February 10-11, Cebu hosts the first ever Tanon Strait Stakeholders Summit and the General Assembly of the Protected Area Management Board, the policy-making body of the protected seascape. The enthusiasm of the participants and speakers led by former Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario G. Davide, Jr., are infectious as are the partners, namely, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Region 7, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the Cebu Provincial Government, Rare, Inc. and Oceana Philippines. The Department of Interior and Local Government also issued memorandum circulars requiring participation in the said historic events by local chief executives of cities and municipalities under Regions 6 and 7 which are part of Tanon Strait.
Is it sheer coincidence that Presidential Proclamation 1234 creating Tanon Strait Protected Seascape was issued by President Fidel Ramos on May 27, 1998, the same year that CDN was born? Both inspired and are inspiring changes and with it, paved the groundwork for surmountable challenges to be met head-on fearlessly.
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