The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Strategic Communication and Initiatives Service (DENR-SCIS), through Ilocos Region, gathered over 200 participants for the celebration of this year's World Wetlands Day with the theme “It's time for wetland restoration” which highlights the urgent need to prioritize wetland restoration for a multi-stakeholders environmental engagement at San Juan, La Union last February 03, 2023.

The said event was participated by DENR R1, under the leadership of Regional Executive Director - Atty. Crizaldy M. Barcelo, represented by Chief Administrative Office Mary Ann Escoto, Provincial Government of La Union represented by Executive Assistant to the Governor Hon. Justito Orros, Municipality of San Juan represented by Municipal Councilor Hon. Reginald Ng, Barangay Taboc led by Barangay Chairman Teofilo Cabiladas, Boy Scout of the Philippines La Union Council, Boy Scout of the Philippines Dagupan Council, Food Panda Philippines, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, Jaime Ongpin Foundation, and Suzuki Philippines. Multiple activities were set to reignite stakeholders' love for the environment and inculcate to them the vitality of saving our wetlands.

Before deploying the various participants to the environmental activities, a Partners’ Commitment Signing was first conducted to symbolize their willingness to be involved in the initiatives of the DENR in the protection, conservation, and proper management of the country’s environment and natural resources. After the program they were grouped into three. A group was assigned in Ili Norte, San Juan to witness the release of ten (10) sea turtle hatchlings and one (1) rescued mature green sea turtle initiated by Coastal Underwater Resource Management Action or CURMA, a non- profit, volunteer and non- government organization (NGO) based in Barangay Ili Norte, San Juan, La Union and managed by father and son Dir. Toby Tamayo and Carlos Tamayo. These turtle hatchlings were released adjacent to the Marine Turtle Hatchery of the said NGO.

Likewise, a coastal clean-up drive was conducted along the shores of Taboc, San Juan , La Union followed by a tree planting activity at Sto Rosario, San Juan led by Barangay Chairman Reynaldo Ubungen, of which the municipality is identified as a vulnerable area. Participants including the BLGU and constituents planted over 200 mangrove seedlings to reduce the risk of flooding.

Summing up the celebration was an ecological tour at Lotus Valley Farm located at Dasay, San Juan, La Union owned and managed by a former military man and the rising star when it comes to Environmental Conservation and Agri-Tourism in La Union, Mr. Ramon Benito "Toby" Tamayo. He is currently serving as the Provincial Consultant on Sustainable Apiculture, Agriculture, and Natural Resources Development. The brief tour, which served as an Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) Campaign for the importance of wetlands and the environment, gave the opportunity for the participants to connect with nature, away from the busy trap of urban life.