Dreaming Big

because one of my dreams is to be known to write really good speeches, kahit opening remarks lang sa forum na team ko mismo ang nagpa-andar, kinakarir ko ang task kong ito (because i leave the organizing and tasking to my staff!),  below is the opening remarks i drafted:

 (As delivered)

Selfie Perfect: The Status of Protected Areas in the Philippines

8/F Operations Room, PMS Building, Manila

7 May 2015

OPENING REMARKS

Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen.

I am Pie Maraya. 

On behalf of the Human Development and Environment Policy Office (HDEPO), the team behind today’s Arlegui Forum, I welcome you to this afternoon’s discussion and knowledge-sharing, “Selfie Perfect: The Status of Protected Areas in the Philippines.”

Protection. Protected. Protective. Protect.

Wow, BIG WORDS.

Let me, however, attempt to break it down to simpler, understandable concepts.

Take for example the word, PROTECTION. Its etymology from mid-14^th century included shelter, defense, keeping, guardianship.  In the late 14^th century, it was meant to pertain to “that which protects; from Old French, proteccion (puh-tez-shun), which meant “shield.”   From the old Latin, it referred to “cover in front.”

Online dictionaries define it as an act of protecting someone or something, or the state of being protected from suffering harm or injury.  It is synonymous to safekeeping, preservation, conservation, sanctuary, refuge --- which if you ask me, are BIG WORDS as well.

But in governance, protection is not a big word.  It is a monumental task. 

States protect their interests, their territories, their natural resources, their peoples.  Individuals protect their interests, their territories (or at the very least, their homes), their properties, their loved ones.

One of the major milestones in conservation policies was the enactment of the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) in 1992.  NIPAS essentially laid the framework in delineating, managing and protecting areas while recognizing, for the first time, the rights of indigenous peoples and other local communities dependent on these resources. 

This afternoon, our discussants will touch on various levels and specific efforts in protecting our country’s natural resources --- we have our government agencies, the rule of law and its embodiment in programs.  We have groups or individuals whose collective and personal advocacies complement the State’s interventions.  

and we have all of us here.

This is the reason why this afternoon’s discussion is an opportunity to be informed and to hopefully be inspired to be involved. 

At the end of this Forum, no matter how daunting the task of protecting, conserving is, we are enabled to reflect on how we can do our share.  no matter how big these words all seem, these are doable. 

collectively and proactively, we can.

because we care.

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