Foundation University adopts Banica River

            “God writes the gospel not in the bible alone, but on trees, and flowers and clouds, and starts.” This was said by Martin Luther and undeniably holds much truth not just for now, but forever.

            Indeed, we can see God’s abounding love and grace through His creations, yet it is sad to note that nature has taken so much squalor from the same creature God entrusted it to --- man.

            Isn’t it ironical that man relies on nature so much, yet takes it for granted and even abuses it? It is about time that man should realize how important our earth is, and should take a step to help save and preserve it.

            Foundation University, bravely took that a step --- a small step of preserving Dumaguete City’s Banica River, yet means a lot to our community and to our ecosystem.

            Foundation University plans to take action in the preservation and rehabilitation of the Banica River and seek willing involvement from the community, especially the youth, and it was graciously accepted and put into action.

            Just last Saturday, February 23, F.U. hsted the Launching of the Foundation University Environmental Project: Banica Atong Suba (Banica Our River).

            This is the university’s community outreach environmental program that specifically calls for preservation of our Banica River. Dr. Fidencio Aurelia, Executive Director of Metropolitan Inter Local  Health Zone of Negros Oriental graced the occasion, together with Engr. Dominador Dumalag, Dumaguete City Administrator, Natividad Cabanlit, Foundation University Extension Services Office, Nenita Tayko, Dean of the College of Nursing, and Hon. Gregorio Suasin, Barangay Captain.

            Preservation of the Banica River puts great emphasis on two programs: Environment is Everybody’s Concern (EEEC), and the Banica Atong Suba. The former urgeseverybody to work hand in hand in order to alleviate Banica River’s condition, and the latter shows our appreciation and gratefulness for Banica River with the hope of influencing other people to have that same passion and drive to do something about out environment.

            Banica River has been “adopted” and given special care and attention by Foundation University for a while now.

            Since February 2 of this year, Dr. Mira D. Sinco, Foundation University President, Dr. Aparicio Mequi, President of Foundation University Institute of Youth Sports for Peace (IYSPeace), Marlon Tanilon, FU Industrial Engineering and Technology Dean, has been surveying the part of the Banica  river that passes through an area behind the FU College of Education and has  long been concerned of its sad plight. This led to the implementation of solutions to improve Banica’s predicament.

            With the help of another survey of social problems that are linked to Banica River’s ailing condition, conducted by Dr. Pura Depositario, Director of the Research and Extension Education and Instutional Planning of Foundation University, and the active participation of the CWTS, a lot of problems were cited, thus giving us the bigger part of Banica’s “iceberg” which we tend to overlook.

            The social problems that were identified and linked to Banica River’s condition --- violence, poverty, drug addiction, and the like gives us an insight to what approach we need to take, and in this case, a multidisciplinary one.

            With the regard to this, Foundation University undertook a more intricate survey, this time involving the households living in and along the area that the university indicated for adoption --- 600 meters behind Foundation University’s College of Education.

            A medical mission was also conducted by FU College of Nursing last February 17, at the Basketball Court adjacent to the Banica River in Taclobo, Dumaguete City, to address not just the aesthetic part of the whole concept of preserving Banica, but for a more personal one.

            Nenita Tayko, Dean of the College of Nursing gave her medical Mission Report, while Natividad Cabanlit of the FU Extension Services Office gave the barangay survey report during the Launching of the Foundation University Environmental Project: Banica Atong Suba, last February 23.

            Spearheading this noble act of preserving Banica River, Dr. Mira Sinco, Foundation University President, and Dr. Aparicio Mequi, Dean of Foundation University Graduate Studies and Chairman of FU’s Institute of Youth Sports for Peace(IYSPeace), and the Foundationu University Student Council, hope to influence the general public, and most especially the youth, to have the ‘heart’ for the environment.

            “The youth should have the sense of urgency with regard to environmental issues, and they should be mindful of everything that has to do with preservation of our environment because this is for their future,” Dr. Mequi stressed.

            “The youth and the environment are two major players in our world today, one cannot do without the other”, Mequi further added.            

            Without a doubt this holds true. The youth, (if I may use the overrated cliché) is the hope of the nation. It is up to today’s younger generation to act, step up, and assume responsibility as early as now to give the environment a fighting chance, and total regeneration.