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By Jennifer P. Gaitano
BUTUAN CITY, Aug. 23 (PIA) – The Rapid Media Reaction Team (RMRT) composed of legitimate media practitioners of this city have expressed their support and cooperation to the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga Rehional Office and Samahang Magdalo’s advocacy in saving the Mount Mayapay during a roundtable discussion recently.
The advocacy of PIA and Samahang Magdalo will create realization among the people in the community to get involved in the protection and conservation of Butuan’s heritage – the Mt. Mayapay, said Mike Crismundo, Mindanao Bureau Chief of Manila Bulletin.
“We should all work together for this common cause. This will not only benefit us but also the future generations. There is no reason for us not to join and support this advocacy campaign since it is for the development of the Mt. Mayapay. We all should take responsibility. And I believe that saving Mt. Mayapay is also saving the lives of the people,” said Crismundo.
"We, as stakeholders of this city should really protect and conserve Mt. Mayapay, considering the fact that it is not only our cultural heritage but it also provides us natural resources," Philippine Daily Inquirer correspondent Mr. Franklin Caliguid said. “We have been experiencing the effects of climate change, and I believe that if we will all extend effort for the protection and conservation of Mt. Mayapay, we will experience the minimal effects of climate change unlike of those places in the country wherein you will no longer see bountiful trees and usage of its natural resources were already abused.”
Also, Ms. Maia Juni, station Manager of Radyo ng Bayan Butuan said that the protection and conservation of Mt. Mayapay is not only the responsibility of the duty bearers but also the citizenry.
“Everything is possible when all of us will get involved and take our roles to protect Mt. Mayapay,” said Juni.
The group expressed optimism that through this partnership, Butuanons will also influence others to do the same.
Samahang Magdalo Caraga Regional Coordinator Mr. Micheal Torralba acknowledged the unified efforts of the media partners in providing relevant, timely, reliable and accurate information to the public. “The RMRT will be of great help in spreading out our advocacy campaign for the betterment of Mt. Mayapay,” he said.
The RMRT was first organized sometime in April of this year by PIA-Caraga through the initiative of PIA-Caraga Regional Director Abner Caga, in preparation for the national and local elections, where local tri-media are converged to act as one with the ultimate end of making a significant impact in the community. (JPG/PIA-Caraga)
