Galeos vows more effort to protect environment

Cebu Second District Representative Edcel Galeos assured that whenever there is a need for a better environmental legislation, he will see to it that all parameters are set before bringing it to the plenary for proper legislation.

“We will make sure that stakeholders that might be affected with the proposed legislation will be heard properly. Once mahimo na nga balaod, dili ta mohunong diha, together with the very able and capable personnel of the DENR, we will be partners in implementing the said law,” said Galeos during the recently concluded Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7’s 7th Gawad Tugas Awarding Ceremony.

The former chief of DENR-7 Forest Engineering Section said that he will continue to do his part as he always have done before as he too was an employee of DENR long before he started in public service as a private individual, as president of a construction form, as a mayor, as a Cebu Provincial Board member and now as a legislator.

“Environment protection is everybody’s responsibility and we should contribute not only for the sake of our environment but for the entire community. There is no other way to reverse its negative effects but become responsible stewards of the environment,” Galeos said.

He added that as representative of Cebu’s second district, it is his duty and responsibility to heed not just the idea or sentiment of his constituents but technically every citizen who wants to contribute to environmental conservation, preservation and protection as after all, environmental protection knows no political boundary.

Galeos also hopes that the Gawad Tugas will go nationwide in order to encourage others to contribute to the effort to protect the environment.

“I am delighted to be a witness of the 7th Gawad Tugas Awards that recognizes individuals, organizations and government units who championed in their own way of conserving, protecting and promoting our environment. Such achievements must be known to the world to emulate and share best practices in environment protection,” Galeos further said.

The Gawad Tugas aims to promote and replicate good environmental practices done by awardees that are worthy to be emulated so that they can spread the good news and best practices to each and every organization, local government unit or institution.

The 2022 Gawad Tugas Awardees are Best Performing People's Organization in NGP (PO Bilar Water and Sanitation Multipurpose Cooperative); Best City/Municipality in Solid Waste Management - (City Government of Bayawan, Negros Oriental); Best Barangay in Solid Waste Management (Barangay Mayana, Naga City, Cebu); Best LGU in Adopt-a-Wastebody Program (Barangay Tabok, Mandaue City, Cebu); Best Performing Partner in Clean Air (Lexmark International Inc., Philippine Mining Service Corp. -Bohol and Bohol Limestone Corporation) Best Performing Partner in Clean Water (Amarela Resort, Bohol). —