DEPARTMENT of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Gina Lopez is set to visit the Summer Capital during the Cordillera Environmental Summit on July 27 to 29.
The three-day summit with the theme, "Fostering Responsibility in Integrated Solid Waste Management," is in response to the call of the DENR secretary to conduct summits to look into the environmental situation of the provinces and the regions. This is also in line with the celebration of the World Environmental Month.
Expected participants are DENR officials, local chief executives, local government unit's Solid Waste Management Focal persons, representatives from national government agencies, academe, business and industry sector, non-government organizations and other civil society organizations in the Cordillera region.
Lopez will be the keynote speaker during the summit opening on July 27 at the Crown Legacy Plaza. A known anti-mining advocate, she is expected to focus on the need for the mining firms to shape up and show they are responsible miners and be able to comply with the necessary standards to continue their mining operations in the country.
Just recently, the new DENR chief suspended four mining firms in Zambales due to complaints of environmental degradation, usurpation of farmland, fish ponds and coastal areas, denudation of forests and lack of funds for progressive rehabilitation.
Lopez will also lead the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement for the new adopters of the Adopt-an-Estero/Creek/River/Body of Water program of the DENR.
Alongside the summit would be the exhibit showcasing the best practices and the initiatives of the DENR's partners and stakeholders on solid waste management.
The Gawad Pagkilala will be given to the local government units recognized for having the sustainable best practices on solid waste management. Companies and individuals will be sharing their best practices on Solid Waste Management and other environmental advocacies. These include Mother Earth Foundation, the Zero Waste Cluster, the Maryknoll Ecological Sanctuary, the Baguio City National High School, Mountain Maid Training and Development Foundation, DOST-CAR, University of the Cordilleras, Texas Instruments Phils., HEDCOR and the Benguet LGU.
There will also be a workshop for the creation of a SWM Information, Education and Communication and the SWM system applicable for industries.
The Mines and Geosciences Bureau-Cordillera will also present the situationer on the mining industry and the environment in the region. (Redjie Melvic Cawis/PIA-CAR)
