KUDOS to the idea makers of the last Saturday’s event, the Guinness World Record for RANOW Boat Race in Lake Lanao held on January 10, 2015 and by the Barangay Raya Madaya 1 of Marawi City, Lanao del Sur in partnership with local, national and international institutions. It was the first time for Lanao dwellers to have such an event and at the same time raise awareness about the preservation of our Lake Lanao.
Indeed, the event reminded us all Meranaws of the jewel that we always have had. As I mentioned in my previous articles, this jewel was a treasure to the Meranaws. But when it became the hydroelectric power source of the National Power Corporation, it became controversial and has been tagged as “the lake for others.”
This event became another eye-opener and a reminder of what should we be doing in order to protect our natural resources. Are we protectors of our nature or unknown destroyers? Have we accounted all our day-to-day activities that contribute in the destruction of our environment? Don’t you know that by simply riding a car, throwing your candy wrapper, spitting anywhere and even doing your own laundry contribute to the destruction of our environment?
In our city specifically, there are tons and tons of garbage coming from the higher parts of the city going down to the lake each time it rains very hard. In fact, decades ago, I seldom see flooded areas in Marawi. But today, due to clogged canals and poor drainages, flooding became part of the scenario when it rains.
Does this mean that we care less about our nature? Does this mean that we are slowly destroying the environment? Yes.
From the awareness raising activities to the official city ordinances for solid waste management, concerned Meranaws never stopped finding ways to make Lanao dwellers realize the damage caused. Yet, days passed and reminders just fall in deaf ears and blind eyes. Some people continue carelessly throwing garbage anywhere as if it won’t cause them danger eventually.
No matter how many hours, money and effort spent for raising awareness about the value of nature to us, people will never realize the effect when they don’t feel it yet. But, do we have to wait for a sad disaster to teach us a good lesson?
These days, most cities afflicted by disasters started to change from the minute details of their lifestyle up to the most intricate ones. Some cities even started to ban plastic use in supermarkets, in restaurants, etc.
In fact in Islam, we are taught of the virtue that one can’t be changed until one decides to change for the better. This is the best yet the biggest challenge to each and every Muslim.
If there is a best avenue to perform the real Jihad (exerted effort), this is where we can start. Let us use all our strengths in fighting against our evil deeds. Let us start educating ourselves of the best ways to minimize being the nature’s destroyer.
It is not enough that you call yourself a ‘nature lover’ who appreciates the beauty of the world around. But rather, be a nature protector who can be someone who commands himself and others to properly protect nature.
Let us not allow the old song’s lyrics, “wala nang sariwang hangin na malalanghap... mga ilog na dati’y kulay asul, ngayo’y naging itim,” be real to us and to the future generations.
Let us be one and united in protecting the jewels left for us to protect, NOW!
[Email: sorlatipyusoph@gmail.com]