Gov. Espino urges gov’t employees to serve as models for environment protection

Lingayen - - - Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. urged the provincial employees to serve as role models for the rest of Pangasinenses in protecting the environment with the Capitol being the seat of governance serving as the show window of orderliness and cleanliness.

In the regular flag-raising ceremony at the Capitol Complex here which coincided with the launching of the National Environment Month, the Governor said that people must start on small but basic things like keeping the surroundings of the Capitol clean thus inculcating in every home the right discipline in caring and protecting the environment.

Cleanliness, he said, must start within our self so that other people will follow and emulate. “Maliit at simpleng bagay pero malaki ang epekto kapag ginawa,” he disclosed.

It will be recalled that environment protection became a priority project of the provincial government giving emphasis on coastal reforestation. With this, an intensified program on environment preservation is underway with the second mandate of the governor.

At present, 27 species of mangrove species can be found in the province and being propagated in the provincial government-owned Bolinao Fish Farm Nursery. These mangrove species are distributed to different coastal towns in Pangasinan for plantation.

The ILOG KO AROEN KO project was launched to protect the river systems in various towns of Pangasinan against destruction. This also serves as one of the components of the Save Lingayen Gulf (SLING) movement, a pet project of the governor during his tenure as the PNP Provincial Director in 1994.

The Green the Mountains Again is another program being emphasized by the governor wherein a total of five million trees have already been planted since its launching.

Part of the month-long environment celebration includes a photo exhibit at the Veteran’s Park showcasing the province’s natural resources. Lecture on environment protection is also being held to increase public awareness and a signature campaign among the key officials of Pangasinan and various stakeholders in support of the province’s biodiversity program highlighted the affair.

In another development, Pangasinan thru the Provincial Solid Waste Management Division was among the finalists for Likas Yaman Awards for Environmental Excellence (Best LGU initiated environmental project category) in the region.

World Environment Month is celebrated annually in the country during the month of June by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 237 with the year 2010 as the international year of biodiversity. (PIO/Ruby R. Bernardino)