Provincial environment summit set next month
LINGAYEN-Preparations are underway for the holding of the province’s first multi-sectoral summit on water and environment next month.
The summit, with the theme “Hurdling Road-blocks to Sound/Sustainable Environment”, is geared towards reconciling systems, approaches and methodologies in planning and implementing programs for a sustainable environment.
Sally Navata, head of the non-government organization Kalikasan Foundation that’s spearheading the event in cooperation with the University of the Philippines Social Action and Research Development Foundation (UPSARDF), said her group is coordinating with the provincial government and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for the meeting.
Expected to participate are some 300 leaders of various NGOs, Local Government Units, educational institutions, religious and business sector and women organizations in Pangasinan.
Among the topics lined up for discussion are the principles of ecologically sustainable development, water, coastal and forest resource management, solid waste disposal management system, land use and renewable energy program.
Navata said the summit has been designed to backstop a proposed measure being deliberated upon in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, specifically to codify the implementation of environmental programs in the province.
SP Member Alice Pulido, chairperson of theSP committee on environment and natural resources, filed the resolution seeking the adoption of an environment code of Pangasinan last year.
“Being a potential regional growth hub, Pangasinan — with its vast territory and rice natural resources — needs a comprehensive environmental regulatory measure that will serve as guidepost to any development and growth venture,” Pulido said, batting for the adoption of the proposed code.
Pulido noted that Bulacan, Batangas, Cebu, Iloilo and other key provinces in southern Philippines are surging ahead in economic growth because “these provinces have codified their environmental undertakings.”—LM
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