MENRO seals agreement with 3rd Batch of Tayo ang Kalikasan Stakeholders

Local solidarity towards a greener and cleaner Manolo Fortich

The "Tayo ng Kalikasan" Movement, adopted by the Local Government Unit of Manolo Fortich in 2021 and initiated by the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office, has reached another milestone as they sealed seven new agreements with stakeholders during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding held at the Municipal Gymnasium on October 13, 2023.

The seven new stakeholders include Landbank of the Philippines - Manolo Fortich Branch, LGU Manolo Fortich Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, LGU Manolo Fortich Enterprise Market, REACT Gateway Alae Group, Naewa Hu Mga Kumakalengen Ta Kibulawan IP School, BUKHAD (Brave Unity, Kinship, Hope, Advocacy for Diversity) Manolo Fortich LGBTQ+, and Immaculate Conception Parish Church - Parish Ecological Ministry.

The "Tayo Ang Kalikasan" Movement is a nationwide initiative by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, which was adapted by the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office of Manolo Fortich. They now have 21 member stakeholders, including schools, companies, and organizations, who will be assigned specific easement areas to adopt, develop, manage, and protect. In the case of BUKHAD (Brave Unity, Kinship, Hope, Advocacy for Diversity) Manolo Fortich LGBTQ, a community organization, they are assigned a 530.04-meter stretch, approximately 0.16 hectares, at Pol-oton Creek, Sitio Pol-oton, Barangay Tankulan, Manolo Fortich. Other stakeholders have their corresponding areas of assignment in different parts of the municipality. Meanwhile, the representative of Landbank Philippines Manolo Fortich Branch expressed her message during the program. “Mapasalamaton kami nga mga stakeholders nga nahimo ming partner sa Tayo ang Kalikasan. So dapat di na ta magsalig sa uban. Dili nata magsalig sa DENR ug sa LGU to take care of our environment. We should take care of our environment.” Ashieah M. Balabagan, Branch Manager said.

This initiative aligns with the movement's original agenda to plant one million forest trees since 2019, which also includes maintaining and protecting seedlings. At the local level, this aligns with the agenda set by Municipal Mayor Rogelio N. Quiño for the environment.

The Chairperson on the Committee on Environment, Councilor Rina E. Quiño was also present in the signing, signifying the full presence of the administration regarding the movement. “Today marks a beginning of a historic journey towards a more sustainable and environmentally responsible future. The signing of two agreements, the signing of memorandum of understanding for easement rehabilitation and the memorandum of agreement for adaption of additional municipal tree park marks an important step forward in our commitment in conserving and enhancing our environment.” Councilor Quiño said in her opening remarks.

The event was also attended by CENRO (Community Environment and Natural Resource Office) Officer Forester Daniel F. Somera represented by CENRO Deputy Florencio Padla, who explained the salient features of the Tayo ng Kalikasan project. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Regional Executive Director Henry A. Adornado, PhD, and PENRO (Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office) Officer Vergilino P. Alima also graced the event.