SU President joins DENR forum to boost gov’t participation, partnership for the environment
Dr. Betty Cernol McCann, Silliman University (SU) president, joined the 2023 Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Multistakeholder Forum in Visayas as a panelist to discuss how the DENR can partner with the academe for environmental initiatives.
McCann shared SU’s own initiatives on environmental protection and conservation, such as its zero waste approach to waste management; use of renewable energy; implementation of the SU Environmental Principles, Policies, and Guidelines; and support for academic and student-led programs, projects, and research related to the environment, sustainability, and biodiversity.
“Silliman University’s environmental initiatives have taken off because of the collective effort of the Silliman community, its alumni, and friends to protect the environment and our natural resources. We want to strengthen and share these initiatives with more communities until one day, being ‘green’ becomes the norm in our country. To achieve this, the government’s support is crucial,” said McCann.
The DENR invited representatives of national and local government units and offices, the academe, non-government organizations, and the private sector to share their knowledge, experiences, and challenges concerning the DENR and other environmental initiatives.
Through the forum, the DENR gathers the stakeholders’ perspectives and insights for consideration as it plans its policy agenda and multi-year Roadmap for Programs, Activities, and Projects (PAP).
The DENR also aims to foster partnerships with and among stakeholders who can co-implement PAPs concerning the environment and natural resources (ENR).
After the forum, DENR will produce the Resiliency Framework for ENR which will serve as the foundation for ENR policies that are science-based, data-driven, and socially, politically, and culturally sensitive.
The Resiliency Framework for ENR will also guide corresponding PAPs that will be co-implemented by the government and non-government actors.
DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga invited McCann and other university heads in Visayas for the panel discussion, namely: Fr. Narciso A. Cellan, University of San Carlos president; Dr. Edgardo E. Tulin, Visayas State University president; Dr. Joselito F. Villaruz, West Visayas State University president; and Dr. Clement C. Camposano, University of the
Philippines-Visayas chancellor.
Engr. Jowena Joy Besa, Pollution Control Association of the Philippines, Inc. president, and Atty. Roberto V. Oliva, Society of Filipino Foresters, Inc. president, were also invited to be part of the panel.
