Saturday, April 19, 2008 Earth Day caravan converges at Capitol
IN LINE with the celebration of Earth Day with the theme, Tubig ay Buhay: Ating Pagyamanin at Linisin, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) spearheaded the Earth Day People's Caravan Lakay para sa Kalikasan, Lakbay para sa Buhay at Kinabukasan from April 14-17, 2008.
This people's caravan aims to sound off and proclaim the DENR's call to action in working together for the environment. The activity further aims to inform the public of the future results of irresponsible human activities that causes rapid destruction to the environment, thus mobilizing them as much as possible.
With the activity, DENR hopes to strengthen or encourage the local government units (LGUs) to make action towards environmental activities and social practices.
The caravan visited the different provinces of Northern Mindanao, which includes Camiguin, Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental and Lanao del Norte, all for environmental causes.
Activities in each provincial stop included motorcades, photo exhibit, lecture on climate change and other environmental topics, People's Day and information desk wherein the public could consult whatever concern they have within the scope of the DENR.
The Earth Day People's Caravan kicked off in the province of Camiguin last April 14. The program was held at the Convention Center, Mambajao, Camiguin. The program for the next provincial stop was at the Bukidnon State University (BSU) Gymnasium, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.
On the third day of the caravan, April 16, the stop was in the Province of Misamis Occidental. The program was held at the Farmer's Gym, Oroquieta City.
On April 17, the caravan was in Lanao del Norte. The program was held at the Mindanao Convention Center, Tubod, Lanao del Norte. The highlight of the program was the signing of the Pledge of Commitment for Mother Earth, which was signed by the different sectors present in the said activities.
Whistle stops in selected areas along the way wherein the caravan could take a rest for about 15 minutes while distributing information materials on climate change and other environmental-related materials like leaflets and flyers.
Moreover, the municipal mayors in each respective city/municipality as venue of the whistle stop delivered messages of support. In the province of Camiguin, whistle stops were in the Municipality of Catarman and Sagay. On the following day, April 15, whistle stop was in the muicipality of Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental as the caravan team traveled from Bukidnon to Oroquieta City. Another whistle stop was in Ozamis City as the caravan team moved from Oroquieta City to Tubod, Lanao del Norte. The last whistle stop was in Maranding, Lanao del Norte on April 17 before proceeding to Tubod, Lanao del Norte for the program and other activities.
On Friday, delegates from Western Mindanao, Northern Mindanao, Southern Mindanao and Central Mindanao converged at the provincial capitol grounds of Misamis Oriental. A motorcade around the city of Cagayan de Oro, cutting of the ceremonial ribbon for the exhibit and program and environmental concert took place during the Mindanao Convergence. (Press release)
