Farmers, fishermen and officials of the Barangay Population and Development Office in Negros Oriental convened in Dumaguete City recently to plan how they can further protect the environment.

The activity was held in line with the 23rd celebration of June as Environment Month, on the theme “A Green Economy for Rural Communities.”

Mercy Teves, provincial officer of the Environment and Natural Resources Division, said that Gov. Roel Degamo wants to motivate every Negrense to be part of efforts to save the environment by reducing smoke emissions, conserving the remaining forests, protecting watershed areas and aquatic resources, and practicing proper waste and garbage disposal.

“Participants were encouraged to initiate projects like the adopt-a-river strategy and the conduct of clean up campaigns, not just during the celebration of Environment Month but the whole year round”, she added.

Teves said farmers and fishermen should consider themselves guardians of their communities and prevent unscrupulous individuals from destroying their resources. “They should also be part of efforts to rehabilitate the natural resources by growing trees, not just planting them”.

An advocacy group composed of the religious sector, line agencies in the government, non-government organizations, schools and universities, that was formed three years ago, agreed to regularly meet and map out their environment activities the whole year round.*JG

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