Fr. Reyes runs again to protest tree-cutting
LINGAYEN — Running priest, Fr. Robert Reyes, leading figure of Green Research, an environmental group, led at least 30 members of civil society in an advocacy run to reaffirm their protest against the cutting of trees along the Manila North Road (MNR) in Pangasinan.
The priest and the other environment advocates ran the distance from Urdaneta City to Barangay Sumabnit in Binalonan carrying on one hand a bamboo cane which Reyes calls “Tungkod ni KIKO” (Kalikasan Ingatan Para sa Kinabukasan Ora Mismo), professing a common cause to save the remaining 700 trees along the MNR.
The Tungkod ni KIKO, he said, symbolizes the preparation for the coming of Pope Francis in January and the death commemoration of St. Francis of Assisi on October 4, and dramatizes the group’s protest against the cutting of 700 trees along the Manila North Road.
His ‘Project KIKO’, he added, seeks to heighten awareness towards the importance of protecting natural resources that contribute to the safety of people from the dangers of natural disasters.
He cited how the trees saved people’s lives during the fury unleashed by super Typhoon Yolanda that ravaged Leyte and Samar provinces in the Visayas.
Fr. Reyes leads run from Urdaneta to Binalonan
Fr. Reyes thanked Gov. Amado T. Espino Jr. and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Pangasinan for going “green,” and revealed that he had asked Cebu and other provinces to emulate Pangasinan in their massive drive to protect the environment.
He expressed fear that the issue which has been marred by business and political interest, might turn into “a widespread pestilence.”
“Hindi lumalabas ang pagmamahal sa puno,” the priest lamented as he blamed business and political interests for the decaying environment.
Gwen Borcena also of Green Research, said her group will not stop in their campaign to “unmask what is wrong with the paradigm of politicians who want to seek economic growth and prosperity to the detriment of the health, environment, livelihood and the rights of the community.”
Ramon Santillan, vice president of the Pangasinan Federation of Non- Government Organizations, also vowed not to blink in their commitment to support the anti-tree cutting movement. (PIO)
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