DENR to Celebrate Earth Day By Planting Trees, Clean-Ups

More than 15,000 mangrove propagules are set to be planted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)7 only in one day, on April 22, 2015 in some identified areas of the four provinces of Central Visayas.

This is in relation to Earth Day observation during the month of April of every year, based on Proclamation 1482 which was issued on April 10, 2008, DENR-7 information officer Eddie Llamedo on Wednesday.

Llamedo during the AGIO Forum at the PIA office said DENR was the main convenor of the said celebration based on that proclamation.

Llamedo explained that on April 22, aside from planting mangroves propagules, the public are also urged to participate in the cleaning-up of the coastal areas of Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oirental and Siquijor.

“However the clean-up activities are not only limited to the seas but even in all public plazas, parks, and schools along the coastal lines,” Llamedo said.

Llamedo at the same time reminded everyone about the Earth Day celebration theme as “Earth Day every day, everywhere, for everyone”.

He said that caring of environment must be everybody’s concern.

He added that garbage remains a serious environmental challenge among all local government units (LGUs).

Llamedo said that to complement the law,LGUs should provide trash bins in all public areas where segregated garbage are placed.

Llamedo at the same time emphasized the importance of garbage bins where biodegradable and non-biodegradable materials are known and considered as “green” acts.

“Green schools are also to be identified during the Earth Day celebration”, Llamedo said.

He added that there are 15 public and private elementary and high schools in the region listed as green schools whose compounds are planted with trees, established small nurseries, and implementing the solid waste management act.

Earth Day is celebrated every April 22 of the year. The first Earth Day was conceived by US Senator Gaylord Nelson in 1970, “which marked the beginning of the modern environmental movement worldwide”, Llamedo said.