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PINANGUNAHAN ni Sen. Cynthia Villar ang nature exposure program sa Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat and Eco-Tourism Area (LPPCHEA), ang nag-iisang wetland sa Metro Manila na kinilala dahil sa international importance nito.
“By providing this opportunity to spend time with nature, we want the public to have a deeper understanding of the importance of areas like LPPCHEA, as home of numerous species of flora and fauna, as a bird sanctuary, and as a defence against flooding and storm surges,” ayon kay Villar.
Isinagawa ang nature exposure program upang ipagdiwang ang Mayo bilang Ocean Month — World Biodiversity Day (Mayo 22), at World Environment Day (June 5).
Sinabi ni Villar, managing director ng Villar SIPAG (Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance), makatuwiran lamang na ipagdiwang ito sa LPPCHEA para paigtingin ang kaalaman tungo sa mga banta gaya ng reclamation projects sa Manila Bay at mahinang solid waste management.
May 100 high school student leaders mula sa Las Piñas at Parañaque ang lumahok sa pagdiriwang na sinimulan sa pamamagitan ng isang mensahe ng senador.
Itinampok din ang community singing ng awiting “If We Hold on Together.”
Nagbigay ng lecture tungkol sa environment awareness ang mga kinatawan ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Greenpeace Southeast Asia, Wild Bird Club of the Philippines, and the Philippine Red Cross.
Nagkaroon din ng coastal clean up, bird watching, nature walk, and reflection at reaction-sharing.
Kabilang din sa mga lumahok na samahan ang LPPCHEA Management and DENR-NCR, Alliance for Stewardship and Authentic Progress, at Save Freedom Island Movement.
Ang 175-hectare LPPCHEA ay idineklarang critical habitat sa ilalim ng Presidential Proclamation Nos. 1412 and 1412-A. Isa ito sa Wetlands of International Importance sa talaan ng Ramsar Convention.
Ang lima pang lugar sa Pilipinas na kasama sa talaan ng Ramsar ay Puerto Princesa, Subterranean River National Park sa Palawan, Tubbataha Reefs National Marine Park sa Sulu, Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary, Naujan Lake National Park sa Oriental Mindoro, at Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary sa Cebu.
“We should thank the people who have been working tirelessly to preserve LPPCHEA. Volunteers, residents and students, who regularly come here to clean the shores and the leaders who continue to resist development projects that threaten the existence of the habitat, should be commended and emulated,” dagdag pa ni Villar.
Niño Aclan
