Peace and environment volunteers from the cities of San Carlos, Sagay and Cadiz, and municipality of Manapla in Negros Occidental received cash incentives last Monday.

Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson led the distribution held at Balay Kauswagan in Sagay City.

Also present during the distribution were Board Member Pal Guanzon (2nd District), Sagay City Mayor Thirdy Marañon, Philippine Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade commander General Inocencio Pasaporte, 79th Infantry Battalion commander Lieutenant Colonel J-Jay Javines, and other local officials.

This collaborative program of the provincial government, Philippine Army, and the local government units is anchored on promoting forest governance strategies that include participatory and community-based approaches.

Under the program, the volunteers are receiving monthly incentives of P1,500 each, which started July of this year.

Lacson said the activity is an opportunity to thank the volunteers who act in the spirit of giving, and to encourage others to do the same.

He also said that through the Provincial Integrated Water Security Program, it is the provincial government’s commitment to strengthen sustainable development, empower communities, protect forests, and increase ecological awareness.

The volunteers also took their oaths before the governor as part of the activity.

The governor thanked the volunteers, local officials and the Philippine Army for pursuing a massive environmental campaign.

“Today, we revisit the importance of environmental protection and restoration, and its crucial role on the achievement of our twin objective for ecological stability and peace,” he said./WDJ