NEGROS Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose "Bong" Lacson led the ceremonial bamboo planting activity held at Malogo Watershed in Victorias City on June 23 as part of the province’s commitment to further boost access to resilient water supply, improve water resource management, and strengthen water sector governance in the province.

The said endeavor is a collaborative project of the Provincial Environment Management Office and the United States Agency for International Development (USAid) Safe Water Project, related to the Provincial Integrated Water Security Program.

The activity, which is also in connection with the Provincial Environment Month celebration, aims to raise the awareness of stakeholders and local communities in working towards a water-secure future; it also seeks to intensify forest protection and conservation.

“It is my hope that this activity will remind us yet again that without serious and committed intervention, the decline of the state of our environment, including that of our water security will continue to persist, and inevitably, worsen,” said Governor Lacson.

He also said that the activity promotes the many uses of bamboo, which have not been widely known before, including its amazing growth rate, ability to grow in a variety of conditions, ability to absorb greenhouse gasses, and is a good substitute for hardwood.

“There is no better time to start and re-start saving our environment than now,” he added.

Joining the governor were Rep. Jose Francisco "Kiko" Benitez (Third District), Victorias City Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca, Manapla Mayor Manuel Escalante III, Negros Occidental Provincial Administrator lawyer Rayfrando Diaz, Provincial Consultant Rafael Coscolluela, and Executive Assistant to the Governor, lawyer Julie Ann Bedrio, among others.