KABUGAO, Apayao – The Environmental Sector Committee (ESC) of the Provincial Development Council (PDC) convened its first meeting for the year on April 11, 2025, at the Capitol Conference Hall, focusing on environmental policy updates and the implementation of sustainability measures across Apayao.
Chaired by General Services Officer Atty. Zaide Ravelo, said the meeting tackled legislative priorities anchored on the province’s 10-Point Development Agenda, particularly the pillar on environmental protection. Among the major issues raised were the need to update the Provincial Environmental Code, realign tourism planning with ecological priorities, and strengthen support for the provincial government’s Plastic-Less campaign.
Provincial Planning Officer Dr. Leonel Basquez reported that six (6) municipalities have completed their Comprehensive Land Use Plans, while Forest Land Use Plans in Calanasan and Flora are now finalized. He urged the committee to expedite the review of the Environmental Code to ease its endorsement at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
Other agencies likewise raised concerns on enforcement and collaboration. The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office flagged the increasing volume of plastic waste linked to online deliveries, while the Philippine National Police committed to supporting the implementation of local ordinances on waste management. National Commission on Indigenous Peoples representatives raised the need to reassess traditional practices such as kaingin farming, and both Community ENROs from Conner and Calanasan proposed further review of the Paco Valley Management Plan.
Environmental Planner Marcelo Menor outlined activities tied to the upcoming Environment Month, including birdwatching events, eco-competitions in schools, and intensified information drives on biodiversity and climate resilience. He also proposed cross-local government collaboration for IEC campaigns during the Biosphere Week celebration.
In line with Memorandum No. 181, s. 2024, the committee affirmed support for the Plastic-Less campaign. The Human Resource Management Office has begun distributing reusable tumblers to Capitol employees to discourage the use of disposable bottles. Atty. Ravelo floated community service as a possible penalty for ordinance violators, aiming to promote behavioral change rather than punitive measures alone.
Also gaining traction was the “Plant-for-a-Cause” initiative, which links tree-planting efforts with the long-term campaign to discourage destructive farming practices in upland areas.
As the session wrapped up, the ESC agreed to finalize programs and projects for inclusion in the 2026–2028 Executive-Legislative Agenda, with emphasis on green infrastructure, forest management, and the institutionalization of circular waste practices in local communities. By Loremia Pareja
