Environmental protection and improvement

Everybody agrees that we should protect the planet we live in. In fact, the current thinking is that we should not only protect the environment; we should improve it. Hence most Governments and international donors have allocated some funds for projects in this area. Considering that UPVL has alumni with expertise in forestry and natural resources, environmental protection is a green pasture that our organization should participate in a sustainable manner.

In my previous work with the International Coconut Genetic Resources Network (COGENT) which has 38 coconut-producing countries as members, I managed a project on coconut conservation and strengthened 23 coconut gene banks in 21 countries, and identified, characterized and documented over 1400 conserved germplasm and farmers varieties. I also established an international coconut gene bank in each of five regions. As part of our conservation effort to protect the environment, I also organized the Asia Pacific Network on Medicinal Plants involving 12 countries and currently establishing “Living pharmacies” or medicinal plants garden to promote conservation and use of medicinal plants at the community level.

However, environmental protection is only one part of the problem. In protecting the environment, we are just arresting the problem and preventing it from becoming worse. The current thinking is that we should also improve the environment so that it becomes even more sustainable. There are attractive projects in the areas of solar, wind, water and biomass energy and in biogas and organic fertilizers production that could improve the environment. My suggestion is for UPVL to review these areas and focus on one or two of these projects, especially those where we could generate income for the organization. This is why I suggested earlier that we should diversify our membership to include students in engineering and support thesis research along the area of environmental improvement.

Opportunities for UPVL

To make UPVL even greater than what it is today, I propose that we do the following:

  1. Expand student membership to include students in the social sciences and engineering.
  2. Involve UPVL in poverty reduction and environmental protection and improvement projects.
  3. Strengthen linkages with Alumni by: a) Appointing provincial Coordinators to locate Alumni and include them in an updated directory; b) Publishing a computer generated UPVL Newsletter and disseminating to Alumni and students; and 3) Involving Alumni in new projects to tap their expertise.
  4. Participate in FCDF projects a volunteers and paid consultants in foreign- assisted projects;
  5. Establish a Consultancy company and bid for internationally funded projects.
  6. Enhance the financial position of UPVL by: a) initially raising P1,000,000 and investing to earn at least P30,000 per month to support various activities; b) establishing income generating projects; and c) engaging in a focused fund raising campaigns involving Alumni and members to raise P5,000,000 up to the 50th anniversary.

The above suggestions are not easy to achieve but with the demonstrated capability of UPVL, I am confident that with determination and focused program, these can all be achieved.

In conclusion, I would like to congratulate UPVL on its 45th anniversary. It has been a long and difficult challenge, but here you are, successfully and unselfishly contributing in your respective ways and in an excellent manner. I am confident that UPVL will continue to do an excellent job and with a better strategy and greater resolve, we can together make UPVL even a greater organization.

Lastly, I would like to thank you for the invitation to be your inspirational speaker tonight. I hope that what I have shared with you will be useful in your various activities where there are parallels and applications, as we move into our forthcoming Golden Anniversary and beyond.

May the Lord bless you all.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

Last Updated on October 12, 2016 by Tudla_Admin