๐Œ๐ˆ๐‹๐„๐’๐“๐Ž๐๐„๐’ | Tarlac, TAU cohost Green SONA, convene Filipino environmental advocatesย 

๐Œ๐ˆ๐‹๐„๐’๐“๐Ž๐๐„๐’ | Tarlac, TAU cohost Green SONA, convene Filipino environmental advocates
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In cooperation with Green Convergence (GC), Energy Development Corporation, the Provincial Government of Tarlac (PGT), and several other partners, Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU) has once again proven its longstanding commitment to advancing sustainable development in the Philippines as it collaborated in facilitating the Green SONA (State of the Nature Assessment), despite limited preparation time, at the TAU Student and Alumni Center on 28-29 August.
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Assembling hundreds of in-person and virtual participants, the 2024 Green SONA lectures focused on issues relevant to Tarlaqueรฑos. Mr. Teddy Baguilat Jr., president of Angat Kalikasan Pilipinas, explained how every individual's moral choices contribute to global warming while University of the Philippines professor emeritus Dr. Guillermo Tabios III discussed the importance of floods and watersheds.
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Meanwhile, Ms. Joyce Anna O. Manuel from TAU College of Agriculture and Forestry (CAF) shed light on the effects of drought on food security. Ms. Celia Esteban, a representative from Tarlacโ€™s Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO), reported on local government unitsโ€™ (LGU) waste management practices. Also, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga delivered a keynote address, zeroing on the causes and implications of climate change in the country.
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The afternoon of day 1 featured the launch of childrenโ€™s books on Philippine Native Trees (PNT), led by GC officers, which was immediately followed by a series of talks on: upcycling by Ms. Michelle B. Taรฑada of National Council of Women of the Philippines (NCWP); household cooperatives by Ms. Conchita Palencia of the Province of Isabela Green Ladies Association, Inc. (PIGLAI); carbon neutral farming by Ms. Bernice Darvin of Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA); SMART Agriculture by Mr. Christian D. Robillos of TAU; enhanced environmental education and awareness by Dr. Alma M. Corpuz of Tarlac State University (TSU); and regenerative path by Ms. Agnes C. De Jesus of First Philippine Holdings Corporation.
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The afternoon session was also made more special by the closing remarks of Tarlac Governor Susan A. Yap whose speech dwelled on the dangers and downsides of overcommercialization. A ceremonial tree planting of PNT seedlings capped off the events for the first day.
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For the second day, Dr. Angelina P. Galang spearheaded the presentation of โ€œAko ang Bukasโ€ Movement, a cross-sectoral environmental coalition whose grassroots campaign on climate neutrality is gradually gaining momentum. A multi-sectoral workshop, facilitated by Mr. David Dโ€™ Angelo of GC and Ms. Charmaine Lace Q. Pascua of TAU, wrapped up the two-day conference.
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Founded in 2007, GC remains as one of the nationโ€™s prime movers in promoting sustainability while striving to balance social and economic progress with ecological health. According to its website, GC has conducted Green SONA since 2006 โ€œto spread the ecological paradigm and to provide a platform for discussion of local / regional issues contextualized in the current national situation.โ€
Article | Information Unit
Photos | Golden Harvest [Jay Noel DL. Cerezo, John Lloyd A Pabloreรฑa, John Paul P. Madriaga, Hobert B. Parinas, and Marlie P. Tomas] and Planning and Development Office