‘Let us take care of our home’

Drawing from the beautiful message from Pope Francis’ Laudato Si, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Region 6 called on residents of Western Visayas to help protect the environment.

Laudato Si (“Praise Be To You”) is Pope Francis’ letter to the world that praises God with all of His creation and underscored the need to care for our common home – the Earth.

“We need a conversation that includes everyone, since the environment challenge we are undergoing and its human roots, concern and affect us all,” Pope Francis wrote.

The letter has taken on more meaning in this coming celebration of World Environment Day on June 5, 2020 and the observance of the Philippine Environment Month this June 2020.

“We often neglect the connectivity of all life forms but it has always been there. In this time of pandemic, our reflections had been on how the earth is healing due to the pause countries took from all economic activities. This month of June 2020, we are encouraging all people in Western Visayas to reflect on our individual role in taking care of our only home – this planet Earth,” DENR-6 regional executive director Francisco E. Milla Jr. said.

“Protecting our nature equates the sustainability of our environment and natural resources. We believe that through this, we will heal as one when we give time for nature,” Milla added.

The DENR is leading the celebration of the 2020 Philippine Environment Month and the World Environment Day with the theme: “Protect Nature, Sustain our Future” with a hashtag that says: #WeHealNature4OurFuture”.

The observance of Philippine Environment Month was mandated by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 237, signed in 1988.

This year’s theme emphasizes that everything we need to survive and be happy about comes from what nature provides – air, water, all types of food, even medicines. Natural amenities such as mountains, rivers, lakes and the like has given man some of the best wonderful experiences and filled their hearts with joy. (DENR-6)