TWO Kapampangan youth groups, Arayat-based Kabataan Para sa Kalinisan at Kaunlaran (3K) and the Angeles Watershed Advocacy Council Inc. (Araw-ACI), have joined hands to further their advocacy of preserving the environment.
The partnership between the two groups was marked by a tree planting activity held at the Mt. Arayat on Friday, January 28, 2022.
3K president Wilson Gonzales said their partnership with Araw-ACI will boost their advocacy of reforesting Mt. Arayat, a historical landmark of their town.
The group, which was organized in 2014, has around 60 members from Arayat town.
“Ang misyon namin sa 3K ay mahikayat ang kabataan para sa kalinisan at pagmamahal sa kalikasan at ang partnership namin with Araw-ACI ay malaking malaking tulong para mas makatulong at mapalawig sa iisang adbokasiya namin para sa kalikasan,” Gonzales said.
Araw-ACI Youth president Chito Arceo Jr., meanwhile, stressed the importance on the need for the youth to take part in preserving the environment as early as now.
“Kaming kabataan ang tagapagmana ng mundo at bilang tagapagmana, ayaw natin manahin ang patay na mundo at kung hindi tayo kikilos ngayon, wala na rin tayong maipapamana sa susunod na henerasyon,” he said.
Arceo, who also represented the country in the recently concluded Climate Change Conference of the Parties held in Scotland, added that youth can start their journey in environmental preservation by joining groups and forums on social media.
Araw-ACI President Renato “Abong” Tayag Jr., for his part, takes hope in participation and interest of youth in saving the environment.
“Masaya kaming nakakakita sa mga kabataan na nakikiisa sa adbokasiya natin at kung magagawa nila ito regularly at maiturnover nila sa susunod na henerasyon, baka mas maganda pa ang makita nilang kalikasan kaysa sa atin,” he said.
Meanwhile, some 200 various seedlings such as guyabano, langka and mahogany were planted during the tree planting activity.
Aside from the youth, some barangay officials and aspiring councilor Blady “Tita SB” Sigua also participated in the said event.