In a call to action, the President urged the DENR, other government agencies, the private sector, and the public to collaborate in protecting, preserving, and managing the country's limited resources. He challenged everyone to develop a deep sense of pride and ownership of the lands that sustain the nation, emphasizing the importance of the forestland in addressing climate change.
President Marcos acknowledged the global warnings from scientists over the years regarding the consequences of not changing habits and insensitivity to the environment. The impact of global warming and climate change, including the vulnerability of the Filipino people, was emphasized. The answer to this problem, the President stated, lies in the preservation of forestland.
Highlighting recent changes in the international economy, the President explained how the business community has begun recognizing the value of forestland. The ability to assign a peso value to forestland and its exchange potential for carbon emissions in other areas has opened new opportunities to incentivize and economically benefit those who care for forests.
Drawing on a successful model in Ilocos Norte, where a sense of ownership among locals was crucial for the self-sustainability of a tree-planting project, the President called for similar approaches nationwide. Providing a template for the preservation of forestland and emphasizing the need to involve and empower local communities, the President expressed confidence in Filipinos' dedication to preserving ecology, biodiversity, and forestland.
The President concluded the speech by emphasizing that by taking care of nature; Mother Earth will reciprocate and enable the nation to flourish in a brighter and more prosperous future. He underscored calls for unity in protecting and managing limited resources for the benefit of present and future generations. (PIA-NCR / Presidential Photos by PND-PCO)
