Negros group holds cycling event to raise environmental woes

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

 

BACOLOD City – About 150 environmentalists and cyclists here and in Negros Occidental gathered last Saturday to raise some environmental concerns in the province.

Dubbed “Panikadsikad 2020,” Green Alert Negros held the said event with the theme “Sikad para sa Dunang Manggad,” to showcase a variety of art which opens the heart and mind of the people about the different environmental concerns in the province.

The participants joined the cycling event which kicked off from the Provincial Capitol Lagoon to various areas in the city and the Lacson Streets.

One of the activities during the event was the “Paglalamay,” wherein the group displayed by the roadside a coffin-like box with the words “Kahoy Kabuhi Ko” (Tree is life).

Elmeer Meynard Calimpos, a Negrense environmentalist, said the box symbolized the environment’s death in the hands of the greedy.

“Pinakita dito ang tradisyon at kultura ng pilipino na maglagay ng ‘sisiw’ sa kabaong kapag ang yumao ay namatay sa inhustisyang krimen – para raw makonsensya ang may sala. Hindi sila patatahimikin ng huni ng sisiw,” Calimpos said.

Calimpos said that people should also look into environmental concerns, especially in these critical times amid the pandemic.

“We want to be heard, we want an urgent action, we want everyone to feel that this is also important,” he added.

The group mentioned the declogging and desiltation project in E. B. Magalona town, which they claimed to be a facade for black sand mining in the town, and the supposed protection of the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) on the Northern Negros Natural Park (NNNP) declared as a forest protected area.

Calimpos said that the alleged black sand mining could affect the livelihood of some residents and communities in the said town, considering they are known for the blue crab industry.

He also urged PAMB to never allow any development and infrastructure projects inside the NNNP or in any portion of the remaining forests of Negros that could render irreversible destruction to the forest ecosystem.

The group called the attention of government agencies and local government units to give absolute respect and ensure the sanctity and protection and preservation of the culture and tradition of indigenous communities and people living in the forest areas by means of avoiding development and commercial activities and projects being proposed by external organizations and individuals.

 

“We will not stay quiet on this ordeal, only love can save us from climate crisis, and our moral obligation,” the group said.