GOODBYE Regina Paz “Gina” Lopez. Many said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will never be the same again after Manay Gina. Others say DENR will be the same again after the Commission on Appointments rejected the ad interim appointment of Lady Lopez.
The main reason for the rejection of Gina’s appointment as DENR head is her alleged arbitrary and illegal directives at the agency (among others). Killing the cat twice or thrice made the culprits happy. It becomes clearer also that some members of the Commission have really cut Gina clear for their “commission.” Mining and other businesses anchored on environment are really worth the kill.
Speaking of the follow-up kill, it was exposed that the consultants of Gina Lopez are receiving high salary (higher than expected). That could be funny. If you want the best consultants, you have to give the best salary. If you want an excellent work, you have to hire the experts. The critics of Manay Gina are probably looking at “some” high-rank government employees who received just salary without giving the maximum output.
The “Juan Tamads” in the government are more than enough to fill in our imagination. (I do not say that they are there scratching their balls.) They simply lack proper supervision and motivation. They simply lack the drive to be the best. Manay Gina simply did what should be done. By simply hiring the best consultants, she would want to prove that her consultants can be better to those who are there in DENR waiting for their retirement.
We know our “kasimanwa” Gina. Before President Rodrigo Duterte and before DENR, she was already in her best shape for the environment. Life will go on for her after the rejection of her appointment. Our worries are for the next DENR guy and how he or she will fill in the shoes of Manang Gina. DENR has more concerns for the survival of the environment. Let us start with our personal concerns.
Energy conservation deserves a priority. Advocacy should be strengthened: limit the use of electrical appliances, make use of sunlight, use energy-saving light bulbs, love to use the stairs (instead of elevators), enjoy gardening and cycling. Save every drop of water. Filipinos should be educated to recycle the water. It is another story if our local water provider does not render efficient service.
DENR has to inform us (or give tips) to reduce the harmfulness of household products. Our popular brand of washing liquids (made from chemicals) may be killing us softly. I know of a retired teacher who was contaminated by air fresheners. Children should be taught to recycle rubbish. Leftovers can be processed into organic fertilizers. We can help DENR by giving away our unwanted toys, clothes, electrical appliances and pieces of furniture.
We can always say no to plastic pollution. DENR can always check and find out the reason why popular department stores are still using plastic bags. Many burn their plastic bags. Papers are from trees. Only very few students maximize the use of their notebooks. Teachers can always help by encouraging their students to fill up their notebooks cover to cover. Go green! Tree planting (and let them survive) is still a good program.
Go for green products. They are products whose production, usage and storage fulfill the requirements of environment protection. Maintain an eco-friendly diet. Ordinary vegetable salad is best. I tried it and it is effective. It only obliges me to buy new pants (minus 2 inches from my pants four months ago).
Clean Air Act is good. Who are acting on it? Negrosanons still burn the sugarcane fields after harvest. Our vehicles are still smoke belching. Who is doing something to check on this? Our sugar mills and other factories emit the killer smoke. Our government buildings are inhabited by smokers. Thanks to mayors and governors who remind their employees that cigarettes are dynamites for the lungs and hearts.
Our personal concerns are not only the rejection of Manay Gina and what the DENR is not doing. We have also things to be done and not to be done with or without DENR. Our sky is getting darker. Our tropical rain forest is vanishing. The land is weeping. Mother Earth is having a fever.
Let us make the fight for Manay Gina as our inspiration for the survival of our generation and the generations after us. Remember the web of life. We are just strands in the web. Let us work for the survival of life.
