Negros Occidental Governor Bong Lacson led the ceremonial bamboo planting activity at Malogo Watershed in Victorias City, this morning, as part of the province’s commitment to further increase access to resilient water supply, improve water resource management, and strengthen water sector governance in the province.

It is a collaborative project of the Provincial Environment Management Office and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Safe Water Project, related to the Provincial Integrated Water Security Program.

The activity, which is also in connection with the Provincial Environment Month celebration, aims to raise the awareness of stakeholders and local communities in working towards a water-secure future; it also seeks to intensify the forest protection and conservation.

“It is my hope that this activity will remind us yet again that without serious and committed intervention, the decline of the state of our environment, including that of our water security will continue to persist, and inevitably, worsen,” said Gov. Lacson.

He also said that the activity promotes the many uses of bamboo, which have not been widely known before, including its amazing growth rate, ability to grow in a variety of conditions, ability to absorb greenhouse gasses, and being a good substitute for hardwood.

“There is no better time to start and re-start saving our environment than now,” he added.

Joining the governor were Rep. Kiko Benitez (Third District), Victorias City Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca, Manapla Mayor Manuel Escalante III, Negros Occ. Provincial Administrator, Atty. Rayfrando Diaz, Provincial Consultant Rafael Coscolluela, and Executive Assistant to the Governor, Atty. Julie Ann Bedrio, among others.

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