Young environmentalists from all over the Philippines graced the Ateneo de Manila to face the continuing problems of the environment, in unity as the Philippine Youth Environment Network (PhilYEN), Nov. 19-20.
"Ang yaman ng ating bansa ay kalikasan, kabilang dito ang tao [the wealth of our country is the environment, one of which is the people]." This was stressed by the keynote speaker of the convention, Hon. Jose Atienza, DENR Secretary by pointing out how the Philippines is home to many species for both flora and fauna. However, despite this gift, he pointed out how the Manila Bay used to be like a swimming pool and how the Pasig River used to flow with clean water rich in fishes, but now is a mud-dump that is even deeper that the water level itself. Casing in to his point, he ended his speech by urging the youth to "Act Now" for there will be bigger problems in their time, and "Be involved in PhilYEN. Take care of garbage."
This month's convention is the first PhilYEN convention of the country. It is a form of actively participating with all the other Youth Environment Networks around the world, all for one advocacy--to take care of the environment. One of the activities in the convention was the identification of the issues of the environment and the brainstorming of solutions that every participating organization/school has to offer.
Among the other speakers in the convention were Dr. Fabian Dayrit, Dean of the Science & Engineering, Ateneo de Manila University; Mr. Voltaire Alferez, Executive Director of Earth Day Network Philippines; Hon. Priscilla Marie T. Abante, Commissioner of the National Youth Commission; Rev. Fr. Ben Beltran, SVD, Chariperson of the Justice, Peace, & Integrity of Creation Commission, Society of Divine Word; Mr. Chito Macapagal, Vice President-Corporate Affairs of the Uniliver Philippines; and Atty. Antonio Oposa, 2009 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee.
For more information, please visit the official PhilYEN site by clicking here.
"Ang yaman ng ating bansa ay kalikasan, kabilang dito ang tao [the wealth of our country is the environment, one of which is the people]." This was stressed by the keynote speaker of the convention, Hon. Jose Atienza, DENR Secretary by pointing out how the Philippines is home to many species for both flora and fauna. However, despite this gift, he pointed out how the Manila Bay used to be like a swimming pool and how the Pasig River used to flow with clean water rich in fishes, but now is a mud-dump that is even deeper that the water level itself. Casing in to his point, he ended his speech by urging the youth to "Act Now" for there will be bigger problems in their time, and "Be involved in PhilYEN. Take care of garbage."
This month's convention is the first PhilYEN convention of the country. It is a form of actively participating with all the other Youth Environment Networks around the world, all for one advocacy--to take care of the environment. One of the activities in the convention was the identification of the issues of the environment and the brainstorming of solutions that every participating organization/school has to offer.
Among the other speakers in the convention were Dr. Fabian Dayrit, Dean of the Science & Engineering, Ateneo de Manila University; Mr. Voltaire Alferez, Executive Director of Earth Day Network Philippines; Hon. Priscilla Marie T. Abante, Commissioner of the National Youth Commission; Rev. Fr. Ben Beltran, SVD, Chariperson of the Justice, Peace, & Integrity of Creation Commission, Society of Divine Word; Mr. Chito Macapagal, Vice President-Corporate Affairs of the Uniliver Philippines; and Atty. Antonio Oposa, 2009 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee.
For more information, please visit the official PhilYEN site by clicking here.
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