TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources VIII (DENR) in the region and their ambassadors participated in the annual Earth Hour held last March 25, 2023 to show commitment to Earth protection and preservation.

In full support of environmental advocacies, DENR-8 held an hour (8:30-9:30pm) switch off together with ENR ambassadors — JJC Waraynon, JJC Leytean, JJC Tanauan Molave, JJC EVSU Chapter, and Eagle Scouts of the Philippines Region 8.

In his welcome remarks, DENR8 Regional Executive Director, Arturo Fadriquela reminded the attendees to continue doing activities that will preserve and protect the environment even beyond ‘Earth Hour’.

“Show your love for our country by protecting the environment and using its resources wisely, not just for ourselves but for the future of the community,” he said.

President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. had earlier called the public to take part in activities, advocacies, and initiatives that will help us protect and preserve our only home, the earth.
This global annual activity is held every 8:30 to 9:30PM on the last Saturday of March.
(MARCO JEMSBOY ARCENA, LNU Student Intern)

Major sponsor for this event

TACLOBAN CITY– The city of Borongan in Eastern Samar is among the sponsors of this year’s Miss Philippines- Earth as it prepares for the hosting of the said major beauty pageants of the country in 2024.

This was confirmed by Mayor Jose Ivan Dayan Agda who said that they are happy that Borongan City will serve as host in next year’s staging of Miss Philippines-Earth.

Borongan City will become the first city in Eastern Visayas to become a sponsor and a host of a national beauty pageant.

Agda said that the city government will allocate P3 million for staging the Miss Philippines0 Earth next year which will be held at the city’s Baybay beach.

Mayor Agda said that he is happy that the Miss Philippines- Earth organizers have chosen Borongan City as a sponsor for this year’s staging and as a host for the 2024 edition.
This only indicated that they acknowledge the efforts of the city government and its people in preserving the environment.

“Miss Earth (Philippines)’ advocacy is similar to the city’s vision of environmental preservation and protection, especially in our campaign to protect our remaining rain forest as it helps us in avoiding being hit by big typhoons,” Agda said.

On top of this, hosting the environment-themed national beauty pageant will help promote the city and the rest of Eastern Samar as a tourist destination, the mayor added.
The city mayor said that the organizers of the beauty pageant led by its president, Lorraine Shuck, visited Borongan last Monday to personally see the city.

This year’s Miss Philippines-Earth 2023 will be held on April 23 with 31 candidates vying for the title. (JOEY A. GABIETA)

TACLOBAN CITY – The newly-approved ordinance regulating the use of plastic and styrofoam by business establishments not only aims to lessen the volume of the city’s plastic and styrofoam-made wastes but more so provide opportunities for livelihood to individuals to come up with indigenous or reusable bags.

The measure, mainly authored by Councilor Aimee Delgado Grafil, was unanimously approved by the city council during their regular session on March 23.

The ordinance mandates that business establishments operating in the city such as supermarkets, and convenience stores shall encourage customers to bring their own reusable bags to carry goods except for wet goods.

Food establishments are also prohibited from using styrofoam or single-use plastic for food packaging instead they must use alternative packaging like paper boxes and other reusable wares.

Banderitas or buntings used during fiestas and other celebrations made from plastic materials are also prohibited under the ordinance.

The ordinance, to take effect early next year and upon signing by Mayor Alfred Romualdez, also mandates that establishments must provide ‘green lanes’ to cater customers who bring their own reusable, and they are also mandated to make eco bags or reusable bags available for sale in their store.

The ordinance also mandates that the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) with the support of the Barangay Officials, City Information Office, and their partner stakeholders shall conduct information and education dissemination of the ordinance including the promotion of alternative packaging materials.

There should be a mandatory posting of IEC materials in all commercial and business establishments including visible signage information to the people about the ordinance.
The ordinance also mandates that all commercial and business establishments must brief and train their employees to ensure that they are fully informed about the provisions of the ordinance and that no business establishment shall be allowed to renew their license without them training their personnel.

Business establishments violating the ordinance will be meted with a penalty ranging from P2,000 up to P5,000 and cancellation of business license for a year.

Meantime, individual violators face up to a P5,000 penalty and imprisonment of not more than six months subject to the discretion of the court.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)