As organizations and local government units embark on various activities to celebrate World Environment Day on June 5, the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines emphasized the need for “sustained effort over the long term” with regard to pro-environment initiatives such as tree planting and coastal cleanups.
“We welcome all pro-environment activities as valuable interventions that harness the people’s desire to do their part for Mother Nature. But I hope that we will also be reminded that meaningful change requires sustained effort over the long term.
“Lahat ng nasimulan, kailangang alagaan natin at huwag pabayaan upang makita natin ang magandang epekto at lumago ito,” ULAP president and Quirino Governor Dax Cua said.
He underlined the need for organizations and government bodies to monitor the status of their environmental projects, arguing that the resources they had devoted to embarking on activities would be wasted if the projects are not seen through to the end.
To illustrate his point, Cua pointed to tree-planting activities, as he called for the need for following through on such endeavors, as planting is only the start and could have no effect if the saplings are left untended.
“It’s easy to plant, and much harder to make sure that what we plant grow into actual trees that function as buffers against heat and flood,” the governor said.
Over the years, Cua has been advocating for the country to create a “green wall” via aggressive reforestation and re-greening of public spaces to combat the effects of climate change.
He renewed his call for the green wall, especially as the country braces itself for the effects of an impending El Niño.
