The time is now: PGIN launches ‘NariMAT’

Laoag City—Leading the “Narimat nga Aglawlaw” launch on October 3, 2019 at Brgy. Casili, this city, Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc urged the whole Ilokano community to start doing their part in taking care of our environment.

“Narimat nga Aglawlaw,” a province-wide environmental awareness campaign, is an initiative Mr. Manotoc that reiterates the importance of solid waste management and segregation.

In his speech, Mr. Manotoc described the serious problem of non-biodegradable materials on the planet: “The world faces a plastic crisis now. These plastics are not only damaging our environment but also damaging us, humans. Hindi sapat ang mga band-aid solutions sa pangangalaga sa ating kalikasan; kailangan natin ay long-term solutions.”

In addition, he emphasized the immediate action needed in order to protect it: “In the province, all barangays have started complying to the call so I am hoping that this will be the start of the effort. Panahon na para patunayan natin na kaya nating alagaan hindi lang ang ating kapaligiran kung ‘di pati na rin ang ating probinsiya. A cleaner province is a healthier province. Indeed, the time is now.”

Environment and natural resources officer Estrella Sacro also expressed her optimism about the program of the provincial government, saying, “It’s about time to instill discipline in ourselves, in our people, and in our communities we serve. Through our simple ways of throwing out garbage properly and by practicing waste segregation, coupled by our steadfast coordination and action, this project will definitely become successful.

Patricia Dacanay, Movement Against Plastic Pollution founder, further extended her support to the project of the provincial government, as well as to encourage local officials: “We would like to thank Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc for this initiative. We urge all government officials and employees, including the Sangguniang Kabataan, to help in the implementation of our environmental laws. We also encourage the public to comply with our ordinances. Let’s keep our province clean and green.”

The program was attended by local executives and officials, environmental officers, barangay representatives, and other environment stakeholders, who joined in the signing of the Ilocos Norte Environment Covenant.

Burgos, Ilocos Norte’s Brgy. Poblacion Chairperson Joegie B. Jimenez and Batac City Brgy. Barani Chairperson Jogie Calapao presented their respective barangay’s waste management programs.

Mr. Jimenez presented the “Basura Exchange School Tiangge” initiative while Mr. Barani shared about the “Basura Mo, Palit ni Kap” program, which both support the initiatives of Mr. Manotoc.

Mr. Manotoc, as Sangguniang Panlalawigan member, authored Provincial Ordinance No. 058-2019, The Provincial Anti-Littering Ordinance; and Provincial Ordinance No. 2019-05-074, the Provincial Anti-Plastic Ordinance to boost the environmental awareness campaign in the province. (Stewart C. Ocampo)