We are the earth

Ian Alfredo Magno .

EVER heard of the concept called inter-generational responsibility?  It is the idea espoused in the Oposa doctrine, an off-shoot of the case decided by the Supreme Court way back in July 1993.  The case, dubbed as Oposa vs. Factoran, had since been viewed as a landmark jurisprudence, which recognized the right of the unborn – that is, future generations – to a balanced and healthful ecology, viz:

“This case, however, has a special and novel element. Petitioners minors assert that they represent their generation as well as generations yet unborn.  We find no difficulty in ruling that they can, for themselves, for others of their generation and for the succeeding generations, file a class suit.  Their personality to sue in behalf of the succeeding generations can only be based on the concept of intergenerational responsibility insofar as the right to a balanced and healthful ecology is concerned.  Such a right, as hereinafter expounded, considers the “rhythm and harmony of nature.”  Nature means the created world in its entirety.  Such rhythm and harmony indispensably include, inter alia, the judicious disposition, utilization, management, renewal and conservation of the country’s forest, mineral, land, waters, fisheries, wildlife, off-shore areas and other natural resources to the end that their exploration, development and utilization be equitably accessible to the present as well as future generations.  Needless to say, every generation has a responsibility to the next to preserve that rhythm and harmony for the full enjoyment of a balanced and healthful ecology.  Put a little differently, the minors’ assertion of their right to a sound environment constitutes, at the same time, the performance of their obligation to ensure the protection of that right for the generations to come.”

As categorically put, the doctrine underscores the present generation’s responsibility to protect, preserve, rehabilitate, sustain, and/or improve the present state of our ecology.

How else could this present generation bequeath a better place for a future generation?  Certainly, there are more ways than one.  One need not initiate the litigation of a landmark case all the way to the Supreme Court just to make a modest difference happen.  Simple acts suffice.  Clear the local beach from debris, smoke less, fix your mess, dispose domestic garbage properly, clean your bedroom, fix your bed, etc. (eye-sores are a form of pollution too).

The list could go on.  Yet among the classic environmental endeavors is to plant trees.  Correction, grow trees.  Planting without sustenance is of no use, if juvenile flora is left to decay without the needed monitoring and maintenance.  One must ensure that what was planted would soon grow from a mere sapling to a full-fledged tree.  Hence, tree-growing.

In line with its corporate anniversary calendar of activities, Philhealth sort of initiated just that – grow trees.  Pursuant to a memorandum of understanding inked between Philhealth and Barangay Macasandig of Cagayan de Oro City, represented respectively by Philhealth Regional Office 10 regional vice president Datu Masiding M. Alonto Jr. and barangay chairman Aaron M. Neri Sr., a bayanihan-type of tree-growing initiative took off.

The designated area is located at Sitio Cala-cala, Tibasak, Barangay Macasandig. The activity attracted the active participation of the Brethren of Carmen Valley Masonic Lodge No. 250 – the Valley that never sleeps – under the jurisdiction of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines.  Likewise present were the personnel of the PNP 10, Philippine Army, Bureau of Fire, with live coverage extended by ABS-CBN.

The activity turned out to be a resounding success not only on account of seedlings physically planted, but also for particularly raising ecological awareness among the participants and the community as well.

The noble contention after all is, simply, just to make this world, this locality, this city or sitio a better place than it was. Just because we are not rooted to the earth like a tree is, we seem to forget that we are a part of it – leading us to erroneously believe that we could exploit the earth without harming ourselves in the process.

We are the earth. As the song goes, “We are the world, we are the children.”  And to it we shall return, and soon become topsoil – the very topsoil that holds that tree in place.

(Ian Alfredo Magno is a lawyer and is a legal head at Philhealth. E-mail: ianalfredom@gmail.com)