Pista ng Kalikasan is a yearlong provincial movement intended
to solidify the people’s commitment to the protection
of Palawan’s terrestrial and marine resources. It
embraces a whole gamut of programs like the Pista ng Karagatan,
Pista ng Kagubatan, and Clean and Green. It hosts symposiums
and trainings on the environment, agricultural technology,
waste management, and land and water use. There are also
cooperative movements, agro-eco fairs, health festivals,
and horticultural shows. Through the leadership and coordination
of the provincial government, each municipality develops
and implements a program promoting sustainable development.
Each municipality focuses on programs that call on the active
participation of the community in the management and day-to-day
operations of reforestation and livelihood programs.
The highlight of the activity is a 4-month long planting
season. Various species of trees, mangroves, ornamentals
and medicinal plants are planted in designated areas in
Palawan. In 1996, the target was to plant one million trees.
By 1998, over three million trees have been planted all
over the province. With an annual budget of Php 200,000
used for the procurement of seedling bags and propagules
and for miscellaneous administrative costs, the program
has planted trees covering 2,000 hectares of land. This
reforestation project has directly benefited over 120,000
Palaweños.
The whole community is very much involved in environmental
education and policy advocacy. It successfully campaigned
for a “green vote” where 4 mayors who allowed
illegal fishing were no longer re-elected. Fruit trees and
flower gardens can be seen in almost every household. There
is an abundance of fish catch. Farms are well irrigated.
Flooding has been eliminated. Once endangered insects such
as butterflies, dragonflies and fireflies now abound. Even
during the hottest season, the weather remains pleasant
and is not humid. Indeed, the Pista ng Kalikasan has heightened
people’s consciousness on the sustainable development
of the environment.
