(CNN Philippines, April 22) — With the Earth Day being celebrated on Saturday worldwide, Filipinos take part in activities that raise awareness and help save the planet.
Walk for Mercy to Earth
In Manila, the “Walk for Mercy to Earth” took place at the Lapu-Lapu Monument in Luneta Park, in which a mural showing the different alternative sources of energy was unveiled.
The Archdiocese of Manila organized skills workshops and exhibits showing how to address climate change, that may include alternative livelihood and rehabilitation work for drug surrenderees and the unemployed.
Participants were encouraged to declare their commitment in supporting the Climate Change Treaty in Paris that takes effect on Saturday. The Treaty requires participating parties, including the Philippines, to reduce carbon emissions that contribute to global warming and climate change.
Climate Change Commission of the Philippines Secretary Frances Veronica Victorio appealed to Filipinos to act against climate change, even by doing simple things.
“Climate change is happening. I think it’s about time to take an action for climate change. Do our little acts-save a bit on energy, segregate our wastes…these little acts can all contribute to climate change. It’s a big issue right now for us and for the Earth,” she said.
Green Fashion Revolution
Students from De la Salle College of St. Benilde, Asia Pacific College, and SoFa Design Institute compete in a fashion design competition called “Green Fashion Revolution.”
With the theme, “Life Flourishing on Land and in Water,” the competition requires contestants to make clothes, shoes, bags, and accessories from sacks of flour, used tarpaulins, and other scrap materials.
The winning team and their chosen Corporate Social Responsibility project will receive a cash prize of P50,000 each.
The Green Fashion Revolution, which was spearheaded by the 2012 Aboitiz Foundation scholars in Cebu, aims to attract the youth to engage themselves in environmental protection.
Environmental protests
In Mindanao, around 3,000 people from sectors held an environmental protest in Butuan, Surigao City, and Cantilan to defend the Caraga region from large mining companies.
“This activity is made because it cannot be denied the massive degradation and destruction of our environment here in Caraga because of the greed by the large mining companies that operate in the region. The indiscriminate large scale digging in the different mountains of the 23 large-scale mining companies has resulted in severe deforestation and massive siltation of our farm lands and our oceans,” said in the statement of Caraga Watch, the environmental group that spearheaded the protest rally.
According to Caraga Watch, about five percent of the region’s entire land area is being mined for nickel, chromite, and gold. This translates to over 85,000 hectares of land where 23 mining companies operate, affecting agricultural areas and even fisheries.
Meanwhile, in celebration of Earth Day, Malacañang said in a statement that the country is committed to fighting climate change and upholding climate justice, while still pursuing economic development programs.
The statement, through Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella, added, “we continuously aspire for sustainable, climate change-resilient living.”
CNN Philippines’ Yumi Lugod, Erwin Mascarinas, and Ver Marcelo contributed to this report.
