TOURISM Month opens with a big bang in Silay City. The Silay City Government, Department of Education, Moriumi, Jica, and the University of St. La Salle facilitated the First Division Science Teachers’ Eco Camp at Silay Outdoor Recreation and Eco Tourism Area (Soreta) in Barangay Patag on September 4 to 6.
The theme of the ecology camp is “Symbiosis among Forests, Humans and the Oceans.” Tourism is always remembered not just because of festivals, tourist destinations, and food. Tourism is sustained because of biodiversity. Topics for discussion are centered on 10 points. We should know our “One Earth Philosophy.” Environmentalism should be treated as a culture. It should be our way of life. The environment makes us. We also make our environment. That is our ecocentrism. Environmentalism should be our religion.
The “Story of Stuff” should take center stage. We follow a cycle but we have also to recycle. Our resources are not forever. This could be the reason why the 4 R’s should become our way of life (mandated). Conscious consumption should be in our consciousness. Then, “Negros Forest” is there to be loved. What is now the state of our Negros forests? Let us not pretend that we are heroes if we have not done anything for the protection of our Negros forests. We have to do a “tokhang” to all the threats to our forests.
“Climate Change and Sustainable Living” should not be set aside. To survive an apocalypse we have to know by heart the principles of global warming and climate change. Carbon emission is killing us expensively. We do not want to belong to the league of the living dead. Oh, we love “Bat Biology and Ecology.” Biology and Ecology are sweet sisters. Our collective efforts are needed to spread the disciples of Batman in their respective habitats. Every Juan should know his ecological role and the kind of economy he is introducing.
“Introduction to Entomology” is as important as life. Do we know the importance of insects in our existence? Insects are special creatures of God having ecological and economic importance in our survival. The “River Ecosystems” talk of the mobility of man and the fertility of the soil. Rivers are important as a source of drinking and irrigation water. We need rivers to dispose too much rain water. Rivers connect the mountain to the sea. They are the avenue of the rich food supply to our marine life.
We always forget our “Riparian Communities.” They are the plants along our rivers. We don’t even mind them but they play important roles to balance the habitat in the area and provide shelter for the dump dwellers. Please, give a second look at “Bird Biology and Ecology.” Do we know our Philippine species? That could be the reason why we have to reforest our hills and plant more fruit trees. Birds make a paradise for us through their songs and colors.
Focus on “Philippine Biodiversity.” Know the four levels of diversity... the state of Philippines biodiversity. What are the hotspots, and the threats? Teachers should list down the endemic and endangered species.
As we enjoy Tourism Month, remember what Al Gore said, “Each and every one of us can make changes in the way we live our lives and become part of the solution.” We can also say that the forest is longing for the sea; the sea is longing for the forest.
