The yearly observance of Earth Day, April 22 in particular, was a big event in Naga City that the Metropolitan Naga Water District (MNWD) supported and participated in.

Earth Day was launched in the Philippines on April 22, 1990 to mark a global commitment to build a safe, just, and sustainable planet. Earth Day is a celebration for the environment that raises awareness of environmental challenges and what we can do about them.

The focus this year is in the protection of Mt. Isarog Natural Park (MINP) at Panicuason, Naga City. Since it is also the site of the watershed being protected by the MNWD and its partner agencies, including the Naga City government, the water district deemed it imperative to participate in the celebration for Mother Earth.

One more focus of the Earth Day Secretariat is to lessen our carbon footprint by promoting zero emission mode of transportation with the goal of converting Naga City as Bicycle Friendly City mandated under Executive Order No. 2016-043 promoting Bike Tourism as the next big tourism project of the city.

Led by the Naga City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), this year’s Earth Day with the theme “Earth Day Everyday, Everywhere, for Everyone” featured activities including Bike Rack Installations, Bike Lessons and Clinics, Bikers Volunteer Marshal Training, 1st Tukad Pedal Pa-Isarog, MINP Clean-up, Mini-Downhill Enduro Fun Bike and launching of Bike to Work Friday and Bike Loan Programs.

Activities were divided into two parts, last Saturday April 8, was the kick off of this year’s fete for the Earth. Held at the City Hall Grounds were Part I of the Installation of Bike Racks (donated by the Camarines Sur Chamber of Commerce and Industry), Training and Recruiting City Hall Biker Marshals, Meeting of 100 beneficiaries of City Hall Employees Bike Loan Program, Launching of Bike to Work Friday, and City Hall Summer Bike Lesson Clinics.

On Earth Day, April 22, activities started at the City Hall Grounds toward GSP Panicuason and then to MINP for the following events: Installation of additional Bike Racks; Launching of upland barangays from San Felipe to Panicuason as “Naga City Bicycle Friendly Zone”; Clean-up of MINP’s Malabsay Falls and Nabuntulan Falls; 1st Tukad Pedal Pa-Isarog (a city Earth Day Fun Bike activity), and; Mini-Downhill Enduro Fun Bike.

The MNWD, aside from attending the events, provided water for hydration of bikers. AGM Virginia I. Nero, in her message during the program at the GSP grounds in Panicuason, compared the water sources of the district then and now and she shared the various programs to conserve and protect the watershed.

300 cyclists, 60 support/security group, and 150 clean-up participants took part in the 2017 Earth Day celebration led by Naga City Vice Mayor Nelson Legacion along with other City Hall Officials, the 2017 City Youth Officials and Department Heads, NVAC Faculty and volunteers, Bikers groups and enthusiasts, PNP Naga, BFP Naga, ACTO, CEPPIO, CAGO, CENRO, Upper Barangay Officials and personnel, and of course the MNWD.

MNWD supports Earth Day 2017. (clockwise from top left) The MNWD delegates at the Naga City Hall compound, the starting point of the Tukad-Pedal Isarog Activity; An MNWD biker together with the other participants from various agencies including those from the CENRO and PNP-NCPO; AGM Virginia I. Nero giving her message of support during the Earth Day Activity Program at the GSP Ground, Panicuason, Naga City; The MNWD’s GSP Ground Drinking station, one of the hydration stations provided by the District in support to the CENRO’s earth day activity. Other drinking stations along the route of the Tukad-Pedal Isarog Activity include one in the San Felipe III Pumping Station, and another in the Panicuason Pumping Station.