Rizal Province, launches program to help address environmental issues

ANTIPOLO CITY, Rizal, October 1 (PIA) –The Rizal provincial government and the 14 local government units launched the Ynares Eco System (YES) to Green Program to help address environmental issues in the province such as deforestation, waste management and clogged waterways among a few.

Rizal Governor Nini Ynares and the local chief executives of the province’s 13 municipalities and lone city spearheaded the unveiling of the flagship program at the Ynares center last Sep. 26. The program consists of three components: greening the environment, cleaning the environment and recycling.

Prior to the launching, the provincial, city and municipal LGUs held various cleaning drives, waterway de-clogging, tree planting and recycling activities.

Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) general manager and presidential adviser for environmental protection Secretary Nereus Acosta, Department of the Local and Interior Government Calabarzon regional director Josefina Castilla-Go representing DILG Secretary Mar Roxas and Department of Environment and Natural Resources regional technical director Manuel Escasora representing DENR Secretary Ramon Paje served as guests-of-honor at the said activity.

Secretary Acosta recognized the provincial government’s efforts to combat climate change and noted in his speech that President Aquino has identified Laguna Lake which is adjacent to Rizal province as a special focal concern due to flood prone areas. “It is sad to think that it (Laguna Lake) is like a basin (palanggana) that would overflow and when the sea level rises along Manila Bay it is also where the water goes.”

Sec. Acosta added that the environmental situation in Laguna Lake is a national concern due to its impact to the National Capital Region and Calabarzon which produces around 60 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product and 25 percent of the country’s population.

“Flooding or climate change does not respect provincial, local or political boundaries,” said Acosta

Other attendees include provincial directors and representatives from national government agencies, Sangguniang Panlalawigan, barangay officials, academic institutions and non-government organizations.

The launching of the YES to Green program was held in line with the fourth commemoration of Typhoon Ondoy and the Save Sierra Madre Day. (GG-PIA4A)

-http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=2261380597283