IN a bid to promote environmental stewardship and address local ecological concerns, an Environmental Forum on Laudatu Si & Local Environmental Situation and Issues convened on February 28 at the Sta Maria de la Candelaria parish formation center.
Organized by the Commission of Ecology of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, the event spanned from eight in the morning to five in the afternoon, drawing steadfast advocates for Mother Nature.
Donna Echalico, commissioner of the Commission on Integral Community, highlighted the rapid urban development in Cagayan de Oro and adjacent municipalities in Misamis Oriental, which has led to infrastructure expansion and riverbank fortification, raising concerns about flooding and biodiversity loss.
Speakers from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau and the City Local Environment and Natural Resources Office shed light on mining activities in Region 10 and Cagayan de Oro City, while representatives from the Philippine Misereor Partnership, Inc. discussed the Rights of Nature, a subject currently under consideration as House Bill 7128 in Congress.
During the open forum, attendees raised alarms about suspected quarrying operations in their barangays, prompting assurances from the speakers that investigations would be conducted.
The afternoon session delved into Pope Francis’ encyclicals Laudato Si and Laudato Deum, emphasizing the need for collective action to address climate change and environmental degradation.
Reflecting on the event’s significance, Echalico underscored the collaborative efforts of various parish groups and organizations within the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, aligning with the theme: “Guardians of Our Common Home: Balancing Resources and Conservation.”
Laudato Si, Pope Francis’ second encyclical, calls for responsible environmental stewardship and denounces consumerism and unsustainable development.
Laudato Deum, released in 2023 as a follow-up to Laudatu Si, further emphasizes the importance of caring for our planet and its inhabitants.
