DENR-CAR launches ‘Carless Day’

THE DEPARTMENT of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) recently launched ‘Carless Day’ to highlight of three environmental celebrations this November.

The ‘CarIess Day’ takes center stage in observance of Clean Air Month, Environmental Awareness Month and Climate Change Consciousness Week (November 19-25).

DENR-EMB-Cordillera Regional Director Reynaldo Digamo said the Carless Day bars DENR employees and visitors from bringing their vehicles inside the DENR compound a clear message to the general public on the need to support the advocacy that will contribute to efforts in reducing the pollutants in the city’s air. This is also in line with the “Perwisyong Usok! Pigilan.” campaign and the tagline “Konting Abala, Laking Ginhawa”.

Offices covered include EMB-CAR and CENRO Baguio City at Pacdal; Mines and Geosciences Bureau-CAR at Diego Silang Street, Baguio; the Watershed and Water Resources Research Center at Loakan Road, and PENRO Benguet in Wangal, La Trinidad.

Exempted vehicles are those for emergency cases, unforeseen events such as accidents, typhoon, earthquakes and other fortuitous events.

Vehicles carrying passengers such as persons with disability, pregnant women, senior citizens and sick persons who are unable to walk are allowed for drop-off and pick up only.

“The conduct of the Carless Day within the DENR compound is done to set an example for local government units to emulate considering that the members of the BLISTT(Baguio City, La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba and Tublay) Airshed Governing Board are currently making representations with the BLISTT local governments for the adoption of the Carless Day in their areas of jurisdiction,” he said.

This year’s Environment Month celebration is anchored on the theme "Kilos Para sa Kalikasan: Building Climate and Resilient Philippines" to promote mass actions to protect and preserve the environment despite the effects of climate change and the other challenges of the environment and natural resources.

The triple environmental celebrations kicked off last week with the “Zumba for Cleaner Air” participated by government employees from the regional line agencies and local government units of Baguio City and Benguet as well as students from the Saint Louis University at the DENR-CAR covered court. PIA - CAR