Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Acting Secretary Jim O. Sampulna is looking forward to more partnerships with organizations and local communities that actively promote the government’s activities on environmental protection, following the eco-tour and mangrove tree-planting activity in Lobo, Batangas on March 22, in time with the celebration of the World Water Day 2022.
“The mangrove tree-planting activity is a result of a fruitful partnership with the municipality of Lobo. We hope that the partnership forged by the DENR will spark inspiration for more alliances with organizations and local communities in pursuing activities on environmental protection such as this,” said Sampulna in his speech read by DENR Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer-Batangas City Allan Willard Estillore.
The activity was highlighted with the signing of the Environment and Natural Resources Partner’s Commitment, led by the DENR’s Strategic Communication and Initiatives Service (SCIS) and Lobo municipal government for the conservation of environment and promotion of sustainable tourism.
Under the commitment, the municipality of Lobo pledged to actively support the initiatives of the DENR and to practice actions that would help the environment such as avoiding the use of unnecessary plastic materials, promoting the use of alternative environment-friendly materials like bamboo tumblers, reusable water containers and reusable straws, and promoting the use of public transportation or bicycles when going to the office and other destinations.
Both parties will also mobilize and encourage their employees to demonstrate environmental protection within their households and communities by practicing proper waste disposal, including reducing, reusing, or upcycling materials; urban gardening; and taking part in cleanup and tree planting activities.
Lobo Mayor Gaudioso Manalo expressed his gratitude to the DENR and Noble Queen of the Universe Ltd. Inc. (NQULI) for choosing their municipality as a partner for environmental conservation and protection.
“We hope for your untiring support to our locality and to our environment,” Manalo said.
SCIS, through its Strategic Alliance and Environmental Partnership Division, also facilitated the partnership between the municipality of Lobo and the NQULI for a mangrove tree-planting activity and other sustainable development activities through a memorandum of understanding.
NQULI is a non-governmental women’s organization that aims to strengthen sisterhood around the world and to enjoin women who have the heart to help and uplift the condition of communities across diverse societies.
Observed annually on March 22, World Water Day focuses on advocating sustainable management of freshwater resources. This year’s theme is “Groundwater: Making the Invisible, Visible.” ###
