SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique – The Philippine National Police Mobile Force in Antique has engaged the barangay officials, students, national government agencies and other stakeholders in a tree planting project along the four coastal communities in San Jose, Antique.
The launching and signing of the Memorandum of Agreement took place at the Audio Visual Room of St. Anthony’s College (SAC) led by the DENR Region 6 represented by Forester Louie Laud of Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Belison and Anthony Evengelio of Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) San Jose, Fr. Edione Febrero, President of SAC, with Marlyn Abutas, Dean of the Criminology Department.
James Rubino, chairperson of the Advisory Council of Antique PNP Mobile Force also signed the MOA with PCI Francisco Paguia in behalf of the Mobile Force while Punong Barangays Victoriano Alojipan of San Pedro, Marlo Masmela of Magcalon, Nicky Labios of Durog and Lorenzo Hiponia of San Fernando signed in behalf of the community who committed to ensure the protection of the seedlings and increase the rate of their survival.
CENRO Laud said that these barangays are coastal communities with existing mangrove plantation, however, continues care, monitoring and replacement are needed to ensure better survival.
CENRO Belison has implemented the Beach and Mangrove Forest Development using Talisay trees in these areas and they need continues protection, thus Laud commended the initiative of the PNP Mobile Force and the stakeholders for this undertaking.
On the other hand, the SAC President explained the interdependence of the environment and people. He emphasized that if nobody takes care of the environment making it the weakest link in the chain, we will all fail. We can’t exist without the environment, he stressed.
He, however, cited that this project is a way of bringing people and groups together to achieve something better for the environment.
Students of SAC taking up Criminology course are all out in their support and have also manifested their commitment by signing the commitment tarp. (PIA/PN)
