𝐆𝐎𝐕. 𝐏𝐀𝐌 𝐉𝐎𝐈𝐍𝐒 𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐑𝐎𝐎𝐓𝐒 𝐆𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐏𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐃 𝐄𝐍𝐕𝐈𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐃𝐀𝐘, 𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐈𝐍 𝐄𝐍𝐕𝐈𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐋 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍
Gov. Pam Baricuatro joined civil society groups, environmental advocates and community organizations Friday, June 5, 2026, in launching a climate action campaign at the Cebu Provincial Capitol Heritage Park, marking World Environment Day with a call for urgent and sustained action against environmental challenges.
Held under the theme, “Panaghiusa alang sa katawhan ug kinaiyahan: Lihok na, karon na” (Unity for the people and nature: Act now, today), the event brought together representatives of civil society organizations for a dialogue with the governor on key environmental concerns facing the province.
In her message, Gov. Baricuatro said that meaningful environmental protection begins with everyday actions and urged Cebuanos to remain committed to climate-conscious practices.
“Let this World Environment Day be a reminder that every action matters—every tree planted, every piece of waste properly disposed of, every river protected, and every sustainable choice we make brings us one step closer to the Cebu we want for future generations,” she said.
The governor said environmental protection goes beyond conserving natural resources. She said it is about protecting communities, ensuring food and water security, preserving livelihoods and securing a better future for the next generation.
She acknowledged that many of Cebu’s environmental challenges are long-standing issues that require urgent and sustained action.
Despite the province’s efforts over the past year to address disaster recovery, healthcare concerns and community rebuilding, she said her administration remained committed to pursuing environmental initiatives.
Gov. Baricuatro said that among the key programs her administration had initiated were the establishment of the Laudate Deum Si’ Tree Park in the City of Naga, which promotes biodiversity, reforestation and environmental stewardship, and the institutionalization of the province’s Cleanliness and Waste Management Plan under the Clean Cebu Campaign.
The governor said these initiatives are part of strategies to strengthen waste management systems, promote sustainable development, enhance climate resilience and protect Cebu’s natural resources through long-term and coordinated action.
The event was organized by RCE Cebu, the Cebu Provincial Government, the Commission on Environmental Concern and Kaabag sa Sugbo, in collaboration with the Cebu Institute of Technology–University, the University of San Jose–Recoletos and other partner organizations.
Gov. Baricuatro also thanked environmental advocates, partner institutions, RCE Cebu, Kaabag sa Sugbo and community organizations for supporting sustainability efforts across the province.
She said that environmental protection requires collective action and cannot be achieved by government alone, calling on communities, organizations and individuals to work together toward shared environmental goals.
Maria Rosario Piquero-Ballescas of the Regional Center for Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development (RCE Cebu) pointed out the need for immediate climate action. She said the impacts of global warming are already evident through rising sea levels, extreme heat, wildfires and melting glaciers.
“The response has been clouded by noise, delay, distraction, denial and inaction. Today, we celebrate by listening more closely. We have no more choice but to act,” Piquero-Ballescas said.
Various organizations also showcased sustainable local food systems and eco-tourism initiatives through exhibits and booths. Participating groups included Zero Hour, the First Consolidated Cooperative along Tañon Seaboard, Pestales Healthy Selection–Ampao Argao, the Guadalupe Community Multipurpose Cooperative, Oikos Sustainable Solution Sibonga, Tambuli Seaside Resort & Spa, CIT-U Clovers and the Cebu Farmers Market Agri Coop, among others. /𝑪𝑨𝑷𝑰𝑻𝑶𝑳 𝑷𝑰𝑶 𝒗𝒊𝒂 𝑨𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒏 𝑹𝒖𝒔 𝑻𝒂𝒑𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒂𝒏, 𝑹𝒊𝒛𝒂 𝑴𝒂𝒆 𝑷𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒍𝒂𝒏, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑲𝒂𝒓𝒐𝒍 𝑱𝒐𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒑 𝑻𝒂𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒆, 𝑪𝑵𝑼 𝑰𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒔
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