LUNA, Apayao – The provincial government of Apayao (PGA) has officially deputized its first batch of Green Guard Team Leaders, formally integrating community-based enforcers into its environmental protection efforts.
The newly designated Green Guards underwent capability training and were granted authority to assist in implementing environmental laws in the province, one of the most forested and ecologically sensitive areas in the country.
“This is not just the start of a training, but the rise of a movement,” said Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Rainier D. Balbuena during the deputation rites.
Balbuena underscored the large role of the Green Guards and stated that their responsibility extends beyond enforcement telling them “You are no longer just observers of nature’s decline. You are now defenders of its survival. You are the voice when trees fall, the shield when wildlife is hunted, and the bridge between law and life, ” and reminding them that their work must be rooted in duty and in purpose.
“Being a Green Guard is not about enforcement alone. It is about heart. It is about knowing that every seed planted is a promise to our children. Every patrol, every report, every act of vigilance is a story of hope.”
Describing Apayao as a critical environmental and cultural zone, Balbuena urged the new enforcers to view their role as stewards of a living legacy.
“Apayao is not just land. It is legacy. It is the sacred domain of our indigenous brothers and sisters, the lungs of our nation, and the soul of our future.”
Balbuena ended with a call for integrity and vigilance, “You are now guardians of something far greater than yourselves. And as you rise, so too does our hope that the future of Apayao will remain green and wonderfully alive.”
The deputized Green Guards will now operate in the province to report violations, assist in field monitoring, and support local conservation efforts. By Loremia Pareja
