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Monday, September 04, 2006
Green group opens Mindanao environment program
By Ben Serrano
Caraga Correspondent
BUTUAN CITY -- Green Mindanao Foundation Inc., a non-government organization, is set to launch one million hectares involving one million people especially indigenous people in communities for advocating people's rights and initiative for environmental and forest preservation and protection in Mindanao.
During Staff and Media Orientation/Briefing at Consuelo Beach Retreat and Training Center in Barangay Consuelo, Magsaysay, Misamis Oriental Friday, Green Mindanao Project Director Butch Dagondon said the goal was to tap people's conviction cognizant of a most critical challenge in protecting at least one million hectares of remnant forest in Mindanao for its own survival.
"Green Mindanao's 15 years of various trysts into its multi-pronged engagement and developing best approaches has matured its forest campaign crucial in securing the future of the people," Dagondon told newsmen and participants of the briefing.
The project will be anchored on acknowledging tribal peoples' actions and practices demonstrating effective protection of tribal lands and territories.
It will also compliment with government's various forest conservation programs along with the churches and civil society's efforts on ecological protection, which will be challenged and integrated.
The project aims to advocate Indigenous People's Rights and Welfare as it aimed to strengthen education and information campaign of the Indigenous People's Rights Act (IPRA Law) in the protection of environment such as oil spills, destructive logging and mining activities.
On strengthening information and education campaign, the movement aims to teach indigenous people's capabilities to document, record and advocate activities on environmental protection by at least production of documentary films.
Among activities expected to be conducted under the project are; Tribal people gathering and forum in parallel with other environmental groups' advocacies such as "Adopt a Mountain Campaign", Community-based Wildlife and Sanctuary ecosystems management, Coastal Areas and related territorial ecosystems.
A three-day forum to be held here in Butuan City is scheduled on the last week of September 2006 with at least 50 tribal leaders and 25 representatives from allied NGOs, church, media and Indigenous People's network in Mindanao, Green Mindanao Executive Director Butch Dagondon said.
(September 4, 2006 issue)
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