TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The Apostolic Vicariate of Tabuk (AVT) launched the ‘Season of Creation’ today with the theme “To hope and act with creation”.
Fr. Jeorge Manisem, director of the Social Action Center of AVT said this Season of Creation, which started in 2020 is not just a church activity, but an ecumenical initiative from various groups and religious denominations.
The major activity in today’s launch is the planting of indigenous trees on a 23- hectare land in the vicinity of the Marian Spring Eco Spirituality Learning Center located in Sitio Calagdao as one way to combat climate change, and the blessing of solar water pump system funded by the Pondo ng Pinoy, he said.
Fr. Manisem added that the Marian Spring Eco Spirituality Center will become a learning hub for sustainable agriculture and eco-sanctuary in the city. This center could also serve as a facility for forestry students during their on-the-job training.
As partners in environmental protection and biodiversity preservation, the provincial and city governments, through the Provincial/ City Environment and Natural Resources Office, provided the seedlings. The city government also provided heavy equipment trucks for the improvement and maintenance of the learning center.
In a message by City Planning and Development Officer Maricel Kiley, she said that the city government has linkages with stakeholders like the AVT.
Kiley expressed her appreciation to the AVT for establishing an ecological sanctuary which is aligned with the agriculture, social services, health, economic and employment, livelihood, transportation and telecommunications, environment and restorative justice (A-SHELTER) program of the Estrañero administration.
Members of the Eagles Club, Rotary Club of Kalinga State University, Kalinga Basura Express, Singles for Christ, youth organizations, Barkada Kontra Droga, Red Cross Youth Council, some employees of the city and provincial government and various national line agencies, and beneficiaries of the Youth Servant Leadership and Education Program joined the launching activity, and each participating group has an assigned area in the eco sanctuary to look after to ensure sustainability and survival of the trees planted. The AVT has also employed two caretakers for the spirituality learning center.
The Season of Creation is an annual Christian observance that bring people together to pray and collectively respond to the plea of Creation. By Darwin S. Serion
