CALAMBA CITY, Laguna (PIA) — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) IV-A continues mobilizing the private sector to help the government in its re-greening, reforestation, and cleanup efforts.

In an interview during the Usapang PIA radio program, DENR IV-A Regional Executive Director Nilo Tamoria said that they recognize the corporate social responsibility of the private sector in the region in protecting the environment by conducting sustainable environmental programs.

According to Tamoria, they have signed numerous memorandum of agreements with companies to adopt the National Greening Program sites piloted by the department and to be monitored and sustained by the private sector for years to come.

He also believes that the reforestation, tree planting activities, and clean-up drives being organized by various organizations in the region would help the government in minimizing the effects of climate change and global warming.

Tamoria said: “Sa ating mga kababayan, huwag po nating hayaan na ang responsibilidad na para masawata ang (climate change) ay sa pamahalaan lamang. Tayo po bilang mga mamamayan, bilang indibidwal ay mayroong kayang-kayang gawin sa pang-araw araw nating buhay. Basta sa maayos na pagse-segregate ng ating mga basura, sa pagtulong sa pagsita sa mga naoobserbahan nating paglabag sa batas, at hanggang sa pagtulong sa adbokasiya, sa pagpapaliwanag, sa aktwal na pagtatanim, at sa pag-participate.”

The regional executive also pointed out that public-private partnership and participation has become more essential since the changes in the environment affect everyone.

“Ine-encourage ko po ang lahat na sana lumawak ang ganitong adbokasiya, at ganitong process. Ang environmental conservation protection and development ay maging bahagi na po ng ating pang-araw araw na buhay natin kasi kagaya ng sinasabi namin palagi, Ikaw, Ako, Tayo ang Kalikasan. Ang ating laban para sa kapaligiran at likas na yaman ay laban natin para sa buhay,” he added.

Strengthening the implementation of environmental laws to combat climate change is just one of the main priorities of DENR IV-A for 2023, which includes realignment of the provisions of Executive Order No. 23, s. 2011, to form a multi-sectoral environmental protection committee, and the monitoring of activities in 19 protected area landscapes in the region. (CH/PIA-Laguna)