BACOLOD City, January 28, 2012—The Commission on Youth of Bacolod diocese spearheaded a mangrove planting activity in Barangay Balaring, Silay City last January 21.
Led by DCY director Fr. Arnold Deletina, the youth planted around 600 mangrove seedlings.
Participants were composed of 10 DCY staff, 27 youth from Silay City`s San Diego Parish, 15 parishes, 3 youth groups and 7 schools.
Fr. Deletina told participants during the blessing rite that being good stewards of God's creation, means being “active in protecting the environment through cleaning our own surroundings and planting trees to help replenish our fading forest.”
After planting, participants proceeded to San Diego Parish for the 21st Diocesan Conference of Youth Leaders (DCYL).
Resource speaker Anarosa Carmona, an active environmentalist herself, shared about the positive effects of mangrove planting and its importance.
She also explained the vanishing mangrove forest and the urgency to replenish it through crossing the thinning green line between the sea and the land.
The conference was also graced by Malou Eudela, an active staff of DCY, who gave a touching testimony of her work as a volunteer in Iligan City helping the victims of Typhoon Sendong.
The day ended with words of encouragement from Fr. Deletina and his final blessing to all attendees of the conference.
He also expressed his gratitude to Fr. Abenir Pineda, San Diego Parish priest and the young people of the parish for their hospitality.
The whole conference was facilitated by the DCY staff with Fr. Deletina. (Freddy Junsay)
