GOVERNOR Ralph DLG Torres on Wednesday signed a proclamation designating April as Environmental Awareness Month and April 22 as CNMI Earth Day.
Joining him at the Micro Beach pavilion were Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality Administrator Eliceo Cabrera, Micronesia Islands Nature Alliance Executive Director Roberta Guerrero, other environmental advocates, government officials and lawmakers.
The proclamation cites Article I, Section 9 of the CNMI Constitution which states, “Each person has the right to a clean and healthful public environment in all areas, including the land, air and water.”
This year’s Environmental Awareness Month theme, “Defend Our Planet,” reinforces the CNMI’s responsibility to maintain and protect its shared environment for the wellness and health of the community, the proclamation stated.
BECQ Administrator Eliceo Cabrera, in his remarks, noted that Environmental Awareness Month has been a longstanding tradition throughout the world, including in the CNMI.
He underscored the importance of community members and visitors collectively defending, protecting, and preserving the land, the sea, and the air in the CNMI, regardless of race, citizenship, or residency status.
MINA Executive Director Roberta Guerrero, for her part, said, “We feel that we are one big family and we are in this together. With the support and collaboration of all of you there in your offices, we stand ready always to support you as you support us in our programs…. Without all of your help, we would never have the capacity to do this on our own.”
Torres asked all residents of the Commonwealth to take an active interest in their environment and help protect it for future generations.
“I think that there’s a sense of pride here in our islands, not just for the land, but definitely also the sea,” he said. “Our environment is what we have, and [it’s part of] our culture. I want to thank all of you. [You are] definitely the right [entities] protecting our environment.”
He added, “To everyone who calls this place ‘home,’ it is our obligation, and I say this because if we see it and we don’t take care of it, then the next generation will [do the same thing]. We’re moving this ‘Making the CNMI a World Class Destination’ [concept forward]…. So, again, thank you for all the things that you do, and let’s continue to keep the Marianas clean.”
Various events are lined up throughout the month of April in celebration of Environmental Awareness Month, including roadside waving this Friday, April 1, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Garapan Fishing Base.
Other events include a recycling contest, tours of the BECQ lab, an expo at the CNMI Museum, as well islandwide cleanups on Earth Day and on Saturday, April 23.
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, center seated, joins the Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality, the Micronesia Islands Nature Alliance, other environmental advocates and lawmakers for a proclamation ceremony on Wednesday afternoon at the Micro Beach pavilion in honor of Environmental Awareness Month.
