DENR Region XI

To sound off the call of working together for the environment and mobilize people from all walks of life, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-XI) starts today the “Earth day People’s Caravan”, LAKBAY PARA SA KALIKASAN: LAKBAY PARA SA BUHAY AT KINABUKASAN. This caravan will be a week-long activity from April 14-18, 2008.

This caravan intends to inform the citizens of the future outcome of irresponsible human activities and practices which lead to a faster rate of destruction of the environment and resources. Moreover, this also aims to strengthen and encourage LGU actions towards environmental activities and best practices.

The caravan will take off from Monkayo, Compostela Province (April 14) and will end in Cagayan de Oro City (April 18) where all Mindanao Regions will converge for a major environmental information campaign. In Monkayo a simple program at the Municipal Office will be held. This will be followed by a motorcade within the major thoroughfares of the place which will be participated in by the different sectors. After Monkayo, the caravan will have a whistle stop in Montevista and Mawab where the participants will have a courtesy call with the Local Government Unit (LGU) officials and distribute information materials on environment. The caravan will have a major stop over in Tagum City.

On April 15, the caravan will proceed to the municipality of Carmen and Panabo and will end in Davao City. On April 16, the caravan will have a major stop in Davao City. There will be a motorcade in the major streets here and an environmental program will follow at the City’s People’s Park. Around 500 participants are expected to join and witness the program. The Bikers Club of Davao, Mindanao Business Council, Human Development International, Davao City Government, academe and business sectors are DENR’s partners in the conduct of the activity in Davao City.

On the 17th the caravan will hit the roads going to Cagayan de Oro City with a major stop at Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon for DENR Region 10, 11 and 12 convergence to conduct another environmental IEC campaign. April 18th is the final day. Participants and people of Cagayan de Oro City will witness the first ever gathering of people who care for the environment.

This caravan is DENR’s major contribution to the celebration of Earth Day which is celebrated every April 22 of each year. This year’s Earth Day theme is “Tubig ay Buhay: Ating Pagyamanin at Linisin.