The province of Catanduanes is marking the 2024 Linggo ng Kalikasan this week, June 18-21, with various activities, including tree and mangrove planting, inauguration of a grow-out nursery, river clean-up and twin fora on the revised quarry ordinance and solid waste management.
During the opening program at the Capitol lobby, DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga joined Governor Joseph Cua, Vice Governor Peter Cua and Congressman Eulogio Rodriguez in leading participants in reciting an oath declaring their love for the trees of the island.
Later the government officials proceeded to the nearby Capitol Farmville to inaugurate the Grow-Out Nursery, followed by simultaneous tree planting and the consultation meeting of the Protected Area Management Board where a quick overview of Project Restore was presented.
The grow-out nursery and greenhouse with a hydroponics system is being built for the provincial government by the Department of Agriculture in Bicol under its National Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Program.
A 250 square meter-lot has been allotted for the steel-frame nursery, which will house seedlings and saplings used in various programs of the Provincial Agricultural Services Office.
With a project cost of almost P600,000, the nursery will have a retractable shade net and fogger system and can house 30 units of grow-out tables and 104 cells of seedling trays.
Another 250 square meter lot at the Capitol Farmville will be used for greenhouse costing nearly a million pesos that will grow plants without the use of soil.
It will come with 1,200 pcs of hydroponics cup and foam/media, 240 meters of hydroponics channel, and nutrient solution.
Gov. Cua earlier requested the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to enter into an agreement with DA for the innovative initiative, as the local chief executive is pushing to modernize strategies to boost local agriculture.
During the second day today (June 19), DENR-MGB V Regional Director Engr, Guillermo Molina IV will be delivering a lecture on the confiscation, seizure, arrest, and filing of cases for violation of the Mining Law.
After a discussion of the 2024 Quarry Ordinance, Dir. Molina spearheaded the deputation of Mining Enforcement Officers.
The third day begins with mangrove planting at 8 AM, with the afternoon session to be an orientation on Solid Waste Management with DENR-MGB Regional Director Engr. Maria Socorro Abu, OIC-ENRO Prince Subion discussing the SWM Plan and the Business Case of a Sanitary Landfill Project in Catanduanes. An update on the Save Our Sea Turtle (SIS) project will also be rendered.
After a river clean-up on June 21, followed by a family day at 1 PM.