DENR Celebrates the Ozone Month

September is the International Celebration of the Ozone Month. On September 16, 2003, the Philippines will join the whole world in celebrating the International Day for the Protection of the Ozone Layer. This year, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) dubbed the theme “Save O₃ur Sky: There Is a Hole Lot More to Do for Our Children.”

Ozone Month will be celebrated thru different activities this year. A lecture series on the protection of the Ozone layer is being conducted for different schools in Metro Manila. At the DENR compound every Mondays from 1:00 to 5:00 in the afternoon. An On-the-Spot Painting Contest will be held at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Nature Center in Quezon Avenue, Quezon City on September 13, 2003 from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 in the afternoon. This is open to all public and private elementary-school students of ages 9 to 12 years old. Cash prizes will be given to top three winners including their schools. Winning entries will be exhibited at the DENR Lobby on September 16 to 19. Car stickers with ozone friendly messages will also be distributed to commuters to raise public awareness on the protection of the ozone layer.

According to DENR Secretary Elisea Gozun, the Philippines, a signatory to the Montreal Protocol had been actively involved in the global pursuit to protect the Ozone layer. The DENR, through the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) established the Philippine Ozone Desk to act as the national coordinator in drawing up policies and devising administrative measures for the implementation of this protocol.

The Montreal Protocol is an agreement signed by 184 countries of the world to phase-out Ozone-Depleting Substances or ODS. These are the substances like Cholorofluorocarbons or CFCs used as cooling agents in refrigerators and air conditioners. When there is leakage, these substances are released in the atmosphere and destroy the Ozone layer. The destruction of the Ozone layer permits the entry of ultra-violet radiation from the sun and has serious and damaging effects on all life forms.

EMB Director Julian Amador reiterates the commitment of the Philippines through heightened public awareness on what each one can do to protect the Ozone layer. An example of which is to inform the public that the aerosol sprays and household appliances they use like refrigerators and air conditioners should be CFC free or Ozone-friendly. There is also a need for vigilance on the illegal entry of ODS in the country.

The contribution of every Filipino in this environmental cause is very urgent and important.