PHL Joins Earth Day

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has called on Filipinos to renew their commitment to protecting the environment as the country joins the rest of the world in observing Earth Day today, April 22.

Together with the Earth Day Network Philippines Inc. (EDNPI), the DENR has lined up activities to mark the world’s single biggest environmental celebration.

A hold-over from last year, the theme for this year’s Earth Day festival is still “Earth Day every day, everywhere, for everyone.”

This is to emphasize that caring for the environment must be the concern of every member of the human population and he or she should make every day Earth Day.

DENR Undersecretary Demetrio L. Ignacio Jr. and EDNPI country coordinator Roberto Guevara are expected to lead the national
celebration of the Earth Day 2014 at the Quezon Memorial Circle at this very moment afternoon.

The program will begin with an interfaith prayer to be participated in by representatives from various Christian groups, namely: Roman Catholic, Ananda Marga, Shumei, Iskcon Hare Krishna, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Protestant, Islam, Iglesia ni Cristo, Brahma Kumaris, Bahai Faith, Jewish, Zen Center, Pranic Healing, and Kapatirang Bromoki- Mother’s Brookshide Haven.

Dance presentations dubbed “Sayaw ng Bagong Babaylan” and “Sayaw ng Sambayanan” will immediately follow before the main event, which is the “State of the Philippine Environment Address” to be delivered by Usec. Ignacio.

After Ignacio’s speech, the civil society – represented by Guevara – will make a response. Miss Earth 2006 Catherine Untalan-Vital will host the event and the all-male group “Harana Boys” will give special numbers during intermissions.

Other highlights of the program include recognition of partners on environmental initiatives, the awarding of winners for the 3-dimentional Street Painting Contest organized by the DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau, and the turnover by the EDNPI to the DENR of the completion report on the National Greening Program Partnership in Tagkawayan, Quezon.

The celebration will end with a special program called “Isang Diwa sa Pagdiriwang ng Kalikasan” to be hosted by PTV 4 weatherman Harry Bayona.

During this part, the audience will be treated to cultural and religious presentations meant to spark their environmental consciousness.

Earth Day is celebrated every year on the 22nd of April. The first Earth Day, conceived by US Senator Gaylord Nelson in 1970, marked the beginning of the modern environmental movement.

Today, 44 years later, Earth Day is celebrated by over 190 countries worldwide, including the Philippines by virtue of Proclamation No. 553 issued on April 16, 1990 by then President Corazon C. Aquino.