RES GESTAE
Environment-loving cops
Environmental groups increase in number soon after the world admits the worsening climate change and global warming.
And, the country’s police force also stands to be counted in.
At the third quarter last year, Philippine National Police Chief, Jesus Ame Versoza, launched “Scubasurero”, a brainchild project that reflects the activity himself is fond of – scuba diving. But, it is not about enjoying the underwater scenery; it is about lifting a finger to save our marine resources – from coastal clean-up to mangrove planting activity.
Scubasurero is PNP’s share to prevent climate change and save the environment for the future from getting worse.
Why does PNP has to be bothered with environmental issues and concerns instead of putting full attention to its drive to save lives and properties?
Well, one of its slogans in the Integrated Transformation Program speaks of a police who is “Maka-Diyos (God-fearing), Maka-tao (humane), Maka-bayan (nationalistic) and Maka-kalikasan (environment friendly).
Another reason could that “Scientific evidence indicates that we are teetering on the tipping point of irreversible and catastrophic change. Anything that had to be done today – which some are still debating on – had to be done 50 years ago. James Hansen, Director of the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies and an early voice against the irreversibility of the impacts of climate change, sees a remaining window of 10-12 years.”
Any or both of the above premises could support the PNP’s involvement in the protection, conservation and restoration of the environment.
And, it is something we can be proud of our police.
Recently, I joined in the Scubasurero project in Brgy Tando, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras. The host barangay was among the hardest hit of the 8-11 tragedy, the 2006 oil spill.
The region’s top cop, Police Chief Superintendent Isagani Cuevas, and other PNP top brasses from the Camp Crame were there together with more than a hundred police personnel, brgy tanods and local officials.
We joined in coastal clean-up and planted about a hundred mangrove seedlings.
It was a simple activity… but surely it will make a big impact not only to the people of Brgy Tando but also to the generation next to us.
Hence, I made a promise…the next time the PNP holds Scubasurero, I will make sure that I will be counted in.
(http://franciscolinderojr.blogspot.com)