LUNA, Apayao – Governor Elias C. Bulut Jr. on Wednesday spoke before the members of the Biosphere Reserve for yApayaos recommending a tangible and sustained environmental stewardship and conservation, which differentiates Apayao from other provinces.
Executive Assistant Donato Balag conveyed the governor’s message during the Tree Growing for a Cause on September 18, at the EKB Eco-Tourism Park in Bagutong, Flora. Balag said the governor desires that planting trees should not only be done as part of celebration of Civil Service Commission founding anniversary or any government occasion, but it should become a lifestyle, and be consistently taught in schools to the youths, and make it part of their passion.
Through it, he relayed, Apayao will save the future generation reckoning the worsening weather conditions brought by climate change and forest degradation.
Bulut Jr., through Balag, likewise chided human acts that undermine environmental protection measures of the province, quoting that the recent inclusion of Apayao as one of the Biosphere Reserves in the world by UNESCO stemmed from the vision of its founding father Elias K. Bulut Sr who dreamed of a protected Apayao environment while preserving its culture.
Balag, in an interview, added what the governor envisioned to happen, “Ti kayat ni apo Governor Butsy, ma-sustain kuma iti recognition ti Apayao as a Biosphere Reserve for the next generations to come…nga adda ti difference na from other provinces in terms of protection practices and strategies, ken kasla kuma idi nga adu ti kayo nalammiis latta ti panawen,” he stated.
Moreover, the bottom line of all these initiatives towards environmental stewardship, sustainability, conservation and cultural preservation is that it is aligned with Bulut’s yearning to develop Apayao as a hub for scientific researches in BRyA zone, drawing both local and international experts. By Arjay Baysa
