10 Million Movement for Mother Earth launched in Cagayan Valley

by Thelma C. Bicarme

Tuguegarao City (29 March) — The Cagayan Valley Environment and Natural Resources office has launched the 10 Million Movement (10 MM) in the region which seeks to gather 10 million individual commitments to do something for Mother Earth.

In an interview with Regional Executive Director Benjamin Tumaliuan, he said the 10 MM is the highlight of the Earth Day celebration on April 22, 2010 with the theme, “Hamon ng Panahon: Climate Change, 10 Milyong Solusyon (Kilos na! Ngayon Na!)

In Region 2, the DENR has envisioned to make a significant contribution to the 10 MM by targeting .5 million signatures of environmental partners from all walks of life.

A sign-up sheet will be sent to government, non-government and in the private sectors all over the region to gather.5 million commitments for the environment.

Tumaliuan stressed that the individuals who will affix their signatures in the sign-up sheet should commit to at least one of the following pro-environment activities: pollution/monitoring; clean-up and rehabilitation; greening; advocacy and other ways of caring for the Earth.

“Climate change is the most serious problems that we are facing today and everyone has a role to play to contribute to its solution”, Tumaliuan added.

Everyone is encouraged to effect behavioral changes such as reducing use of energy; managing wastes properly by reducing, recycling and reusing; promoting and patronizing collective and non- pollutive modes of transport; planting indigenous trees, shrubs, flowering plants; advocating to make environment a top priority agenda of the country and electing leaders who are aware that “Environmental Security is the highest form of national security.

The DENR has also lined up various activities in the five provinces of Region 2 such as advocacy, pollution control, clean-up drive and tree planting.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has declared April 22 as the “Philippine’s Earth Day” through Presidential Proclamation Nos. 553 and 1276 making Earth Day a permanent environment holiday in the country. (PIA 2)