“Protect God’s Creation Before It’s Too Late” — BM Lammawin on Kalinga’s New Environmental Law

Tabuk City, Kalinga – Underscoring the moral responsibility of protecting the environment, Board Member Camilo T. Lammawin’s Season of Creation ordinance has been officially signed by Governor James S. Edduba — a move that calls on communities, churches, and local government units to safeguard the province’s natural resources.

The “Season of Creation,” as defined in the ordinance, is a global annual Christian observance from September 1 to October 4 dedicated to prayer, action, and reflection for environmental protection and climate justice.

The measure, Provincial Ordinance No. 2025-027, titled “Institutionalizing the Season of Creation in the Province of Kalinga, Promoting Ecological Awareness, and Strengthening the Protection of Endangered Species and Their Habitat,” was initially passed and approved by the August Body in December 2025.

Lammawin shared in an interview that the Season of Creation was originally spearheaded by Pro-Apostolic Vicar Rev. Fr. Sean B. Mejia.

“Daytoy gamin, institutionalization lang for the different LGUs to act on it,” the board member added, explaining that the ordinance institutionalizes coordination among local government units and promotes shared responsibility for environmental protection.

He further underscored the need to respect God’s creation as climate change and destructive activities such as mining and illegal fishing continue to threaten rivers, forests, and wildlife.

“Diyay panang-respitar metlang ti pinarswa ni Apo Diyos — dagitoy natural resources tayo, the wild animals, ken siyempre dagitoy forests tayo. Awan metten makitan nga ugsa ditan, pati dagiti baboy ramo tayo, dagiti lamlames tayo — awan payen pati dagijay palileng… gapu metlang ti mining, dagita electric fishing ken illegal human activities,” he said.

Under the ordinance, the provincial government is expected to work closely with religious institutions, indigenous communities, and civil society groups to promote ecological awareness and encourage environmental stewardship across the province.

Lammawin also urged individuals and communities to safeguard forests and wildlife and avoid destructive practices to preserve natural resources for future generations.

“So for the communities, self-help met — siyempre kas individual metlang, dapat ammo tayo nu kasanu tayo nga protektaran ti environment tayo. Especially dagitoy forests tayo, nu mabalin ket iwasan tayo kuma ti agpukan ta diay conservation metlang ti wildlife. As individuals, as responsible caretakers of God’s creation and humanity, we should be responsible enough to protect these, ta para metlang ti next generations.”

The approval of the Season of Creation ordinance marks a significant step in Kalinga’s efforts to address environmental challenges while grounding conservation initiatives in faith, culture, and community participation.