By ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
IT’S GREAT to see Negros lawyers turning into “earth warriors”.
Quite extraordinar but it’s now happening in Negros Occidental for an immense quest – help save Mother Earth!
On Sept. 16, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP)-Negros went on a tree planting/growing mission. Venue: Grassland or “Holy Ground” at Spur 21, Barangay Kumaliskis, Don Salvador Benedicto (DSB) town.
Led by IBP-Negros President (Attorney) Gerry Llena, scores of Negros judges and practicing lawyers joined the noteworthy activity.
Along with the employees of the Yanson-led Vallacar Transit Incorporated (VTI), Philippine Air Force, DSB and other corporate sponsors, they planted 4,250 endemic tree species.
Members of the Bacolod media joined, too.
Indeed, it was a remarkable event for the environment.
TRIPLE DEAL
In an interview, Atty. Llena said they have three (major) purposes:
* save Mother Earth by way of massive reforestation
* protect the remaining watershed (at DSB) for Bacolod waters’ sake
* help fight climate change
Hence, enticing other Negros lawyers to venture into tree planting is quite a meaningful endeavor outside court duties.
Next, he said, is a coastal cleanup, and so on and so forth.
Stressed by Llena, what they’re doing now is really a call for all Negros lawyers to join a magnanimous cause – preserve nature.
AWARENESS, INTERVENTION
DSB Mayor Mac-Mac de la Cruz was grateful with IBP alongside other sponsors for choosing DSB for the tree planting activity.
Such, the mayor stressed, boosted their sustainable campaign on awareness and intervention re: environmental protection.
DSB is the “Summer Capital” of Negros Occidental. Too, it’s one of the localities in the province situated within the North Negros Natural Park (NNP) billed as the “Last Frontier” of Negros. Thus, tree planting/growing is vital in DSB.
“It simply adheres to our thrust to protect our flora and fauna here,” de la cruz said.
“Timber poaching in DSB? Almost none!” claimed de la Cruz.
DSB is now advocating the so-called sustainable tourism so to provide livelihood opportunities especially to indigenous people (IP).
Explained by the mayor, this sustainable tourism will also lead to sustainable environmental protection.
IP’S ROLE
However, IBP-Negros’ mission to let their 4,250 trees grow will not be possible sans the IP communities in DSB.
The IPs, said Atty. Llena, will have a great role.
“We tapped them to take care of the trees ‘till they grow,” he said.
Wilmo Rebatada, IP head in DSB, said they’re more than willing to fulfill their commitment for their community’s sake.
DSB has two existing IP groups – Ata and Bukidnon.
Llena is confident that, with the IPs, their trees will grow sans mortalities.
“Because every tree counts,” he furthered.
Meanwhile, it is said that tree planting just for photo opportunity (photop) is vague. Figuratively speaking, it’ll result to “rootless trees”.
The very purpose of tree planting, per my understanding, is to have more trees…more roots to hold soil in place. And it’s a “noblest act” to fight soil erosion…environmental degradation.
Thus, world-renowned American teacher, poet and author Lucy Larcom once stressed, “He who plant a tree, plant a hope.”
‘NEW NORM’
In a nutshell, amid modernization-slash-industrialization, reforestation is the “new norm”.
With the occurrences of super typhoons, urban flooding, among other natural calamities around the world, people tend to revert to appreciating nature.
Climate change or global warming is a potent reminder to all of us that nature is fighting back – and she’s “hurting” humanity. So people are now thinking and rethinking how to please Mother Earth.
My salutation, therefore, to IBP-Negros, Atty. Llena, VTI, DSB, among others corporate sponsors for making a “bold step” towards environmental protection.
Having 4,250 trees planted in less than an hour was a great “masterpiece” that will let the earth smile. These trees can really “doctor” climate change sooner. I bet!
Hoping then that IBP-Negros with the help of VTI, a billionaire company in Negros, won’t cease caring for the environment even after Llena’s IBP leadership ends.
Yes, turning court to “earth warriors” ain’t an easy doing. Of course, quite an uninteresting task for Negros lawyers. But it’s just matter of internalization of the real essence of environmental protection.
Reforestation is a task not of the government alone. It’s everyone’s duty amid environmental uncertainties./PN
