PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo lauded the youth proposal to come up with a databank to rationalize the efforts in putting up pro-environment solutions, as she renewed the call for volunteerism and community spirit amidst climate change.
Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) National Federation President and National SK Convention host Jane Censoria Cajes proposed the plan, which the country’s top leaders hinted, could be pursued with the government environment agency and funded by the country’s revenues.
The president in pastel orange pant-suit came to Bohol, her first time in 2009 to launch the Sama-sama Para sa Kalikasan, April 1, at the Bohol Wisdom School Gym.
During these trying times of the world, the Filipino spirit and commitment to caring should prompt each one of us to count our blessings and give back to those who are less fortunate, she reiterated while urging every Filipino to pull in the same direction.
“Volunteering time, skill and resources, is a noble undertaking we should all take seriously,” she said.
Speaking in front of an estimated 6,000 SK members packed at the venue for the SK National Convention, the president called the era as “time for pooling together and focusing on family and the community.”
Gaining new allies in the search for government mitigations on the climate change effects, PGMA cited the SK’s Sama-sama Para sa Kalikasan (SK) as a support slogan for the National Environment Campaign.
“I am happy that you have taken on the challenge of protecting the environment and mitigating the effects of climate change,” the President said.
SK’s adoption of environmental protection as priority program is a declaration that the youth are ready to train energies on pro-environment activities, she explained
But her call also applies to every Filipino as well.
“This should include the government, the religious and civic groups and non-government organizations harnessing our people to engage in coordinated volunteer activities,” she said.
Earlier, the president gave P10M for the SK pro-environment program, and the launching signaled the coordinated activity across the regions.
The SK activities focuses on cleaning up the environment, managing wastes, planting trees and doing eco-campaigns, said SK National Federation President Jane Cajes.
The president, who molded the Task Force on Climate Change pointed out that the youth could not have been more right in convening in the place with the distinction as the only province with an implemented Environmental Code. (rachiu/PIA)