Journalists Larry Madarrang and Liza Agoot from Northern Luzon appeared to be having fun while planting mangroves seedlings on the bank of Cabasan River in the Island of Cagraray in Eastern Albay on Sunday as they marked World Environment Day with members of the Philippine Air Force and residents of Barangay Cabasan. Photo by Dino Balabo
BACACAY, Albay – Journalists led the planting of hundreds of mangroves seedlings in a coastal village here as they marked the World Environmental Day on Sunday.
They were joined by personnel of the Tactical Operation Group Region V of the Philippine Air Force (TOG 5-PAF), representatives from the Albay provincial government and residents of Barangay Cabasan at Cagraray Island here.
Imelda Abano, chair of the Philippine Network of Environmental Journalists (PNEJ), said the annual activity in Albay is significant for journalists as it is considered a natural laboratory for climate change adaptation in the country.
She said that drumming issues on climate change like disaster reduction, energy transitions, air and water pollution, mining, dwindling natural resources and others are very important.
With the celebration came journalists’ re-affirmation of solidarity for all human beings and creatures whose lives are intertwined with that of nature and the environment.
In a prepared statement, PNEJ said “our environment encompasses all living and non-living things occurring naturally on Earth. This is where the interaction of all living species occur. Keeping the environment in a healthy, balanced state is the essential requirement for survival of all creatures in this planet.”
They said that dynamics of the environment either guarantee or threaten human survival and sustenance.
“Nowhere does this mandate become more critical than now when we confront degradation of our natural resources, climate change, and disasters amid grinding poverty and social deprivation,” the PNEJ said.
They further said: “we are bound by our mandate and special role as communicators to help clarify issues, explain the effects of the dynamics of various interacting forces in the environment, provide answers to every pressing question, and help explore options in the positive resolution of issues.”
Abano said that drumming up issues on climate change adaptation wasn’t easy, noting that the years to come will be critical but a perfect time to beef up environmental coverage.
However, she said that PNEJ and other groups chose to embrace positive aspects of the difficult times while committing to uphold high standards of financial and operating integrity.
“As we elevate and re-focus our work in the coming years, we remain convinced our work is needed more than ever, the PNEJ chair said just before the planting of some 400 mangroves on the coast of Barangay Cabasan.
The PNEJ was joined by PAF men and representatives from Albay provincial government and the Sangguniang Barangay of Cabasan.
The activity was part of the PNEJ’s first anniversary participated by journalists from Manila, Northern and Central Lzuon, the Bicol Region, Visayas and Mindanao.
A day before planting mangroves, journalists toured Albay’s Climate Change academy and other projects implemented in relation to climate change adaptation.
