DENR 6 to kick off Earth Day celebration with caravan, exhibits
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 6 will kick off the celebration of Earth Day 2008 with a caravan on April 8 in San Carlos City to converge in Aklan on April 12.
In Iloilo the celebration will begin with exhibits at the Fort San Pedro grounds, distribution of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials and signing of memorandums of agreement on environmental protection, by various agencies and sectors.
Environment regional director Lorlmelyn Claudio said the exhibits and the distribution of IEC materials are intended to flood the public with information on environmental protection and rehabilitation.
The caravans, which are done simultaneously in various towns, cities and provinces in the country will not only bring information on the environment but also on the different programs and projects of the DENR.
The Iloilo team will be visiting the Bulabog-Putian National Park where a Lecture-forum on caves resources will be held, after which, the group will proceed to Passi City and meet with local officials and then on through Dumaraw, Capiz.
A special highlight of the caravan will be the active participation of the local government units, their constituents and other sectors in raining a high level of consciousness on the importance of caring for the environment.
Meanwhile, Environment secretary Lito Atienza this year's celebration is steered by the theme " Tubig ay Buhay Ating Pagyamanin at Linisin," to underscore the importance of water cleanliness and conservation.
In the Philippines, Earth Day celebration started in 1990 with the Proclamation No.553 issued by then president Corazon Aquino, mandating April 22 of each year as Earth Day. (PIA 6/ESS).