Photo from MENRE
COTABATO CITY—The Government of the Day continues to further advance its collaboration with BARMM LGUs in addressing longstanding environmental threats and issues, and building climate resilience projects in affected communities.
This partnership was further sealed following the launching of ‘Bamboo for Peace’ last Feb. 28, in Pualas, Lanao del Sur of the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Environment (MENRE) through its provincial office in partnership with the Mindanao Development (MinDA) in support of the greening program of the locality, and conservation and protection of the region’s rich biodiversity and ecosystems.
Forest Management Services Director Abdul-Jalil Umngan emphasized the importance of bamboo in mitigating climate change, particularly in the greening program.
“Ang kawayan ang nag-iisang uri ng halaman na pinakaangkop sa pagtatanim sa tabi ng mga pampang ng ilog upang mabawasan ang pagguho ng lupa, kaya isa ito sa mga prayoridad ng Bangsamoro environmentalist sa greening program,” Umngan said.
“The BARMM is consistent with its commitment to support the DENR National in its campaign to combat climate change by intensifying tree planting, caring and growing,” he further added.
Meanwhile, Provincial ENRE Officer For. Asmarie Labao disclosed that the Bangsamoro Government is always there to support the LGUs officials in strengthening programs and possible assistance in developing an eco-tourism master plan throughout the Bangsamoro region.
Aside from combating the impact of climate change and sustaining the initiative in protecting the environment, the program also helps to improve the socio-economic status of the Bangsamoro people.
Labao said the Bangsamoro Government is committed to providing technical assistance to the municipalities related to their respective environmental programs using the Special Development Fund or SDF.
“We are very fortunate, since the LGUs implementing the said programs, it also gives an additional income for the Bangsamoro people to enhance their socio-economic status,” said Labao.
“Bangsamoro environmental experts strengthened its programs and potential support in developing an ecotourism master plan in Lanao Del Sur and all over the BARMM region. Therefore, we are urging the people, specifically the young generation, to support and help us to protect the environment and natural resources that we are enjoying right now,” he added.
On top of this, For. Aminoden Guinar stressed the importance and cruciality of planting Bamboo, saying “ang puno ng kawayan ay may malawak na mga ugat na may kakayahang humawak ng maluwag na lupa. Sa madaling salita, ang kawayan ay malalim ang ugat at pinakaangkop laban sa pagguho ng lupa.”
“Ito ay maaaring limitahan ang pagguho, lalo na ang malakihang sheet na maaaring humantong sa mga pagkamatay at pinsala sa mga ari-arian,” Guinar added. (Johaira Sahidala/BIO)
