PALAYAN CITY – While several parts of the country are inundated by floods, the local government here has embarked in a fight against disasters in another front – a stepped-up drive to protect the environment and natural resources by employing dozens of pretty women Tuesday.
Winners of Miss Philippines Earth 2013 joined the 25 candidates of Bb. Nueva Ecija in a three-day program that ranged from stage performances to tree-planting activities.
Mayor Adrianne Cuevas said Miss Philippines Earth fitted her advocacy of pushing for the protection of the city’s natural resources as best weapon against disasters.
“We want our environment and natural resources protected as we promote health and welfare of Palayanos as well as create livelihood through agri-industrialization,” Cuevas said.
Angelee de los Reyes, Miss Philippines Earth 2013 who hails from Olongapo City, said they were saddened by the calamities that struck the country which are largely a result of human neglect.
“I am very sad about this because we all know that this is a product not only of natural catastrophe or things that happen naturally on earth or in the world but of course it was also a product of what people are doing to this country and this world,” De los Reyes said, as her group appealed for more pro-active environmental protection steps.
“I would like to make an appeal to our people that we should take care of the environment, we should avoid improper waste management,” she said, urging people and government to cushion the effects of such calamities by being prepared.
Janine Asanion, the runner-up from Zambales, for her part called for waste segregation. “Itapon po natin ng maayos ang ating mga basura para hindi magkaroon ng sobrang pagbababaha sa Pilipinas,” Asanion said.
Ms. Earth-Air Kimberly Zuisa believes “flood is both human inflicted and caused by nature.” “We are the ones who pollute our environment so as much as possible, let us not use plastic materials, plastic bags unless really necessary and of course we should take care of our environment and to prevent flood we must plant trees,” she added.
They also called on for support on victims of massive flooding.
Palayan City, the capital of Nueva Ecija, encompasses a former government stock farm and portion of Fort Magsaysay Military reservation. Named Palayan (ricefield), the city’s topography though has not been conducive to rice planting.
Cuevas also hoped that the campaign, which is supported by provincial tourism officer Carol Uy, would create awareness about the significant role of this city as provincial capital.
