DENR Region XI

The Ocean Month Photo Exhibit conducted by the Holy Cross of Davao College (HCDC), Sta. Ana Avenue, Davao City in partnership with the Department of Environment & Natural Resources (DENR) gets overwhelming support from the students and the school administration as well.

With its theme “Globalization Thru Commerce and Trade, Peace Journalism and Clean Environment”, the students presented a mini-program that portray journalists’ primary role in promoting environmental protection through advocacy.

Forester Crisanto Estabillo, DENR’s Coastal and Marine Management Division (CMMD) Chief was the guest speaker of the event. In his message, he enumerated some of the coastal issues that journalists should work on to advocate conservation and maintain ecological soundness in the world we are living.

Estabillo stressed that the ocean is a major life support system of earth’s inhabitants. It is the source of food, livelihood, recreation and tourism, marine transport, educational as well as scientific activities. It was in 1999, that the then President Joseph Estrada issued Presidential Proclamation No. 57 declaring May as the Month of the Ocean in the Philippines.

“This year’s Ocean Month Celebration theme is “Living Ocean Saves Life. Let’s conserve it.” Estabillo added.

Mass Comm students are likewise urged to correct information about what the government is doing. He further encouraged them to do their responsibility to care for the environment.

DENR’s exhibit showcased the status of the coastal ecosystem in Region XI and programs of the department that manage, protect and rehabilitate the coastal areas. The exhibit also included some information on the Crown of Thorns (Dap-ag) which poses a threat to the coastal ecosystem being predators of corals as well as some coastal activities of St. Mary’s College, Tagum City depicting the school’s involvement in environmental activities specifically coastal rehabilitation.

Students, mostly from Natural Science and Mass Communication classes, flocked the said exhibit and took notes not only about the coastal ecosystem but information on Global Warming and Greenhouse Effect as well. (Jei Agas)