The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is all set for the 3rd Philippine Environment Summit (PES) happening in Cagayan de Oro City from February 26 to 28.

Organized by the DENR and Green Convergence Philippines, with the support of Forest Foundation Philippines and Energy Development Corp., PES 2020 provides a venue for innovative leaders from the government, civil society, business, academe and the religious sector to present programs and projects that promote sound environmental practices toward sustainable development.

The DENR delegation will be led by Undersecretary for Policy, Planning and International Affairs Juan Miguel T. Cuna.

With nearly half of this year’s participants, college and senior high school students, Cuna said the summit is a “golden opportunity” for the DENR to encourage the youth to become powerful agents of change for the environment.

“There is a projected 1,000 participants for the summit, 40 percent of which will be college and senior high school students,” Cuna noted. “This means we can shape the mindset of these young individuals about environmental protection.”

Cuna said the summit would also serve as an avenue to further strengthen the linkages and collaboration among environmental stakeholders.

Green Convergence Philippines president Angelina Galang said this year’s overall theme “Paradigm (re) Shift: Heeding Nature” is anchored on the premise that “the technologies, as well as the social and economic systems humankind has developed through the ages, have brought about the compromised planetary environment we have today.”

As in the previous summits, Galang said the three-day event will focus on themes of safe food, healthy environment and sustainable economy. Each day will have plenary sessions in the morning and breakout sessions in the afternoon.

Galang added that there will also be a simultaneous three-day exhibit highlighting the themes, as well as other inspiring programs of the national government, LGUs, communities, civil society organizations, business, academe and other sectors.

Green Convergence is a large coalition of environmental and developmental organizations, networks, faith-based groups and individuals championing food safety, healthy environment and sustainable economy. ###