Be more involved in environmental issues, youths urged
THE YOUTH should be more outspoken to boost public attention on environmental issues.
This was the message of former senator and former Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) secretary Heherson “Sonny” Alvarez during a seminar on environmental practices last Sept. 11 at Colegio de San Juan de Letran.
“Yung kabataan natin, kulang ng sigaw. You should be articulating [about environmental issues] in your classrooms [and] among yourselves because this is the survival of the people and the whole nation,” Alvarez said.
The former senator said youth should look at social media as a powerful platform to discuss environmental issues like climate change which he described as “a wholesome terrible danger that threatens the human race.”
“Mayroon kayong makapangyarihan na sistema ngayon (social media) at gamitin niyo yan sa pagkaclash ng kaalaman,” he said.
“Kung ang gagawin ng mga millennial ay pagganap ng kanilang kaalaman sa paggamit nitong bagong communication system, magiging lalong matuwid ang pagganap ng gobyerno sa kanyang tungkulin,” he added.
Alvarez also encouraged the youth to watch over the government to ensure that it is doing its role in protecting the environment.
“[A]ng millennial ay kinakailangang sakyan kung ano [ang] pangangailangan ng buong bayan[…] Kailangan marunong kayo sa bagay na ‘yan upang masukat ninyo kung ginagawa ng pamahalaan [ang] kanyang tungkulin,” he said.
The ex-DENR secretary said millennials should be familiar with the issues themselves to measure the government’s actions about them more intimately.
“Nasa inyo ang pagkakataon. Tignan ninyo kung ano ang [mabuti] para sa inyo at para sa bayan. Kailangan masukat ninyo ang mga ginagawa ng pamahalaan sa pagprotekta at pangangalaga ng ating kalikasan,” he said.
He encouraged the youth to respond to issues on carbon emission by knowing the usage of alternative sources of energy themselves and by being critical of government practices.
“You have a special role and responsibility of addressing key-questions of development, of enlightenment, or survival, and challenge your government if your government is wrong,” he said.
PH on Paris agreement
The Philippines is firm in pursuing a clear-cut policy toward low carbon program and investment in energy resources, Alvarez said.
He explained that all states need to take action on global environmental problems and to recognize different levels of economic development among nations.
“In the year 2050, you would have removed 70% of the carbon you deposited in the atmosphere which caused overheating the earth—the super typhoons, the drought, and the gradual death of our life support system," he said. "Ang Pilipinas ba na nakipagkasundo ay sumusunod ba sa kahulugan ng kasunduang ito? Are we performing our responsibilities?”
President Duterte signed the Paris Agreement last February with enhanced financial support for developing countries in aiming to combat climate change.
On-going mining operations
Alvarez said mining operations still continue despite the newly appointed DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu’s vow to stop mining companies in destroying watersheds and carbon sink.
“Cimatu said that there will be no more mining where they would dig on the mountain, uproot all the mountains. But what about Tampakan? That mining project is so big, they should close it,” he called out.
Alvarez argued that the Tampakan Copper-Gold Project, an open pit mine that covers an area of approximately 10,000 hectares located 50 kilometers north of General Santos City in Mindanao, should be shut down.
“Certain cabinet members are doing that because that is going to yield them copper and gold for 20 years. It means you will destroy the source of water of three provinces,” he said.
Alvarez told The Spiral Journal that despite the issues, he will give Cimatu the 'benefit of the doubt' and urged people to watch out for his future decisions.
“We’ll see if Cimatu will be good to his word,” Alvarez said. B.N. Amarille and C.S. Annatu