The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII is one with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Caraga Regional Office in the celebrations of the Environment Month and Philippine Eagle’s Week during the Kick-off Activity on June 4, 2018 in Butuan City.
The theme of the 2018 Environment Month is Beat Plastic Pollution: If you can’t reuse it, refuse it while the theme of the Philippine Eagle’s Week is Ipagdiwang ang Pagkakaisa para sa Malayang Agila. The Environment Month Celebration covers the period of June 1-30, 2018 while the Philippine Eagle’s Week Celebration is from June 4-10, 2018.
The activity started with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at St. Joseph’s Cathedral which was followed by a motorcade from Guingona Park to Robinsons Place Butuan where the program was held. The DENR Caraga Regional Office and its line agencies such as Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau-Forest and Timber Resources Research Center, Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Environmental Management Bureau, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office and City Environment and Natural Resources Office participated in the activity. On the same note, various government agencies, academic institutions, organizations such as the Caraga Mine Environment and Management Council and mining firms namely Agata Mining Ventures, Inc. and CTP Construction and Mining Corporation joined the said celebrations.
DENR Caraga Regional Director, Atty. Felix S. Alicer, delivered the Welcome Message which revolved around the theme of the celebration. After giving a talk on the nature and brief history of plastic and environmental issues particularly plastic pollution, he welcomed everyone to the activity and urged them to beat plastic pollution in order to protect the environment.
Butuan City Councilor Cromwell P. Nortega represented Mayor Ronnie Vic C. Lagnada in the event and delivered his message about the environmental initiatives, programs and accomplishments of Butuan City particularly the Plastic Regulation Ordinance. Mayor Lagnada has approved the said ordinance that will regulate the use of plastics and plastic by-products which will be instrumental in the reduction of solid wastes in the city. SP Ordinance 5334-2017 was principally authored by SP Environment Committee Chair and Councilor Nortega together with Councilors Vincent Rizal C. Rosario and Derrick A. Plaza.
A short film on the great Philippine Eagle was also presented by the Philippine Eagle Foundation. The said foundation is a private non-profit organization that promotes the protection of the Philippine Eagle and its forest habitats.
At the Awarding of Certificates to Participating Agenices, City Councilor Cromwell P. Nortega, DENR Caraga Regional Director Felix S. Alicer, EMB Regional Director Wilson L. Trajeco, MGB Regional Director Roger A. De Dios, Dir. Conrado V. Marquez, Assistant Regional Director Rosendo A. Asunto and Assistant Regional Director Maritess M. Ocampo acknowledged and appreciated the active participation of the various government agencies, academic institutions, non-government organizations and private companies.
Towards the end of the activity, a ribbon cutting ceremony and a walk through the exhibits of DENR Caraga and its line agencies as well as the Philippine Eagle Foundation took place. At the exhibit of MGB RXIII and the Caraga Mine Environment and Management Council, Groundwater Availability Maps and Geohazard Maps of Caraga Region and photographs showing the best practices of mining firms were displayed. A geologist from MGB RXIII explained the features and uses of the Groundwater Availability and Geohazard maps to interested viewers. Geohazard pamphlets and IEC materials along with magkono (Xanthostemon verdugonianus)seedlings provided by Agata Mining Ventures, Inc. were also distributed.
