San Fernando City, La Union - In line with the observance of Zero Waste Month this January 2021 with the theme, “Bouncing Back from the Pandemic to a Greener and Healthier Environment,” Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Region-I (DENR- I) launched the (1) every Friday as “Plastic- Free Friday” and (2) every last Friday of the month as “2 O’ Clock Clean -up Habit” at the DENR-I Regional Office Government Center, Sevilla, San Fernando City, La Union on January 26, 2021.

The launching of the said activity highlighted with a brief program at the DENR- I Office Lobby and participated by DENR- I, MGB and EMB key officials in observance with the minimum health protocols. Likewise, designated information officers from DENR- I field offices participated via zoom. Spearheaded by the newly- created Regional Strategic and Communications Initiative Group (RSCIG) formerly the Regional Public Affairs Office, the launching opened with the rationale of the initiated office environmental activity was discussed by RCSIG Chief, Renelita A. Santos while key officials led by DENR-I Regional Executive Director Atty. Crizaldy M. Barcelo, Assistant Regional Director (ARD) for Technical Services Felix Taguba, ARD for Management Services Leduina S. Co, Mines, ARD for Special Concerns Socrates Gaerlan, line bureaus Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Regional Director Carlos Tayag and Environmental Management Bureau, Region- I (EMB- I) Regional Director Engr. Ma. Dorica Naz- Hipe conveyed their full support on said environmental initiative by each delivering their oral commitments during the program.

The RSCIG- initiated activity shall be observed from January to March, 2021. The above- mentioned activities are likewise, in support to the implementation of the Quality and Environmental Management System (QEMS) of DENR- I towards its ISO 1911: 2018 certification of the office.  To eradicate or minimize plastic wastes in the DENR- I office and also to the field offices, the RSCIG wishes to implement a whole year round as a continuity to the initiative. (GCG- RSCIG)