By ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
AFTER the devastating super typhoon “Odette” in December last year, tropical depression “Paeng” also exposed anew Western Visayas’ “puny” infrastructures. Scores of bridges, roads, dikes, agricultural facilities, among others, succumbed to floods and landslides. Worse, many people in Panay perished, too.
In Negros, San Carlos Diocese’s Bishop Gerry Alminaza raised a howl against the continued environmental destruction in the island. This, as several localities both in the Occidental and Oriental sides bore tremendous damage on agriculture and infrastructures.
On Facebook (FB), Bishop Gerry – dubbed as the “belligerent envi warrior” – stressed, “We could never complain that Mother Nature is not sending us some warnings… What else do we need to realize we have disturbed our eco-system and destroyed the biodiversity and healthy balance of nature?”
He added: “This is the price we have to pay for our so-called development and progress.”
Such phrases created “fire” online. The highly-respected prelate is a vocal critic of the proposed 300-megawatt (MW) coal-fired power plant and 300-MW liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant both in San Carlos City.
Too, he’s one among the country’s Catholic bishops who pledged concrete commitments against climate crisis.
Deciphering his recent holler, however, the good bishop is not against any business/investment in the island for as long as it ain’t at the expense of the environment. Pretty solid contention.
RESILIENCY AMIDST ADVERSITY
I remember the “Bitaog” tree. For the very first time (at age 51) I’ve heard this tree name.
Such was dedicated by the Andrew Tan-led Megaworld to First Lady Liza Marcos in simple yet remarkable rites at The Upper East (TUE) in Bacolod City on October 23.
Bitaog (Calophyllum Inophyllum) is native to the Philippines.
And Megaworld’s justification about it was quite meaningful and somehow relevant with what’s happening now.
Megaworld’s Vice President and Head of Public Relations and Media Affairs Harold Brian Geronimo, a Negrensef, explained that Bitaog is revered for its strength and beauty. Hence, it truly symbolizes the vibrant Negrense spirit: steadfast and resilient in the face of adversity.
“Negros Occidental may have seen its share of crisis and calamities through the years, but the courage and determination of its people have allowed the province to grow, thrive and succeed,” Harold furthered in expounding the crux of presenting this Bitaog tree to the public, and in dedicating such to the First Lady of the country.
But what’s pleasant to the ears was when Kevin Tan, chief executive officer (CEO) of Alliance Global conglomerate and chief strategy officer of Megaworld, declared that more than a hundred native trees within the TUE development site were neither cut nor killed.
“Walastik” indeed!
‘SIGN OF TIMES’
Yes, Bitaog tree could be a small object to discuss. But with natural calamities happening now anywhere, anytime, such could be a potent entity to remind us of its quintessence in mitigating the impact of disaster(s) in our lives and communities.
Bitaog, per research, has two major features or characteristics that will truly inspire us to weather any force majeure.
It has an extensive rooting system that can’t be uprooted easily, thus, serves as a good defense against strong winds. Hope we’re like Bitaog!
Furthermore, let’s be wary of what Bishop Gerry said about the “price of development and progress” we’re (always) aspiring or longing for.
But the “bone of contention” of the bishop’s statement was just simple: Let’s have a balance between progress and development and, of course, the environment.
World-renowned American anthropologist Margaret Maed once said, “We won’t have society if we destroy the environment.”
“The nation that destroys its soils, destroys itself,” also articulated by the late US president Franklin Roosevelt./PN
