A response to the call for ecological conversion

We will never realize the value of God’s creation until it’s gone. We cannot deny the fact that we suffer from the effect of climate change. In our city alone we experience lack of water that would supply us in our daily needs. We cannot imagine life without an access to safe potable water as it is essential for our survival. Also, we suffer from extreme heat and heavy downpour that cause devastation of property and loss of the livelihood of many. These all happen because we fail to care for our common home.

Pope Francis is in his encyclical letter Laudato Si, urges us to heed the call for ecological conversion, in order to develop in us the deepest motivation for our concern for the care of creation.

Having this in mind, the Archdiocesan Social Action Center (ASAC)-Davao initiated a Tree Caring program launching and Memorandum of Understanding signing in Brgy. Tawan-Tawan, Baguio district, Davao City last September 17, 2022. This was participated by the Watershed Management Council – Davao City, Barangay Tawan-Tawan LGU, Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS), Bantay Bukid, PSAM coordinators, PDART, and other GSLs from the Archdiocese of Davao.

The objective of the program is to protect our watershed through planting trees, growing them and nourishing them. It also aims to educate and form people about the importance of tree caring and how it would help our future generation. Thus, the continuous reforestation efforts enable us to maintain the health of our watersheds so we get constant water supply, since these watersheds are our current and future sources of the city’s drinking water. As more people get involved with these greening initiatives, more people will be encouraged to participate in the rehabilitation and protection of the watersheds.

As stewards, it is our responsibility to care for our common home, it is our call to be protectors of God’s handywork. Though, we fail many times of our responsibility, we are urged not to give up but to be people of Hope. Since goodness is innate in us, we can rise above our failures and choose what is good in order for us to start anew. We still have time. let us value, take good care and listen to creation. In this season of creation, let us be fervent in prayer, be one with nature, and take action for our common home. Climate change can only be changed if we change ourselves. (Bro. Alcris Panganiban)