Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Destroyed environment blamed on ruined values
A GROUP of young environmentalists has blamed the destruction of the environment to the devastation of the inner core of human being.
In an enhancement training held recently at the Nazareth Retreat House in Barangay Talomo, Davao City, the Youth Advocates for the Watersheds of Davao City agreed that the relentless abuse of the natural resources came when people lost that sense of stewardship of the creation as God's supreme beings.
Monsignor John Macalisang, who spoke before at least 30 members of the young environmentalists group, said selflessness and a strengthened relationship between human and God could actually arrest the destruction of the environment often disguised as development like monoculture crop plantation, mining, and logging.
"The cause of the destruction of the environment is the devastation of the inner core of human beings. Stewardship is a moral obligation and God's providence is intended for the common good not only for this generation but the coming generations," Macalisang said.
Various environmental groups have been vocally criticizing the government policies on agricultural developments, which they see as skewed, something that favors only the capitalists and pose danger to the health of the people and the environment as a whole.
Panaghoy sa Kinaiyahan-Coalition for Mother Earth is leading the environmental fight in Davao City.
It is a broad coalition of various non-government organizations, people's organizations, academe, and concerned individuals all fighting for the protection of the natural resources like rivers.
The Youth Advocates for the Watersheds of Davao City is one of the two youth sectors sitting in the coalition. The group is also an association of youths from different schools, parishes, small Christian communities and the different barangays of Davao City.
They have come together to affirm their commitment to protect the environment and work for sustainable development.
"Young as we are, we dream of realizing our role as stewards of Davao City's luscious environment, though we are young we commit and we hope that we can be agents to protect God's gift to the Dabawenyo," the group's vice president Daiby Gaje said.
Dr. Malu Morgia-Rebarbas, the group moderator, said the response of the youth to commit to stewardship serves as a hope and an inspiration that Davao City's future is assured of a protected environment.
"With this group, the city is somehow assured of future leaders that would value God's bountiful blessings," she said.
The group is set to conduct various environmental summits for Local Government Units, priests, nuns, other church leaders and religious; Campaigners training for church youth leaders and school leaders and intensive educational campaign in various schools, parishes, and villages of Davao. (JMT)
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (April 12, 2006 issue)
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