“There is no alternative planet. No planet B.” Bishop urges to save nature from destruction.

The incoming president of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Philippines (CBCP) urged the people to unite to save nature for permanent destruction for the sake of next generation.

"The world needs to unite to save nature from permanent destruction for the sake of the next generations," stated Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, the incoming president of CBCP.

In a special message, Bishop David stated that "We have to unite ourselves in saving our planet. There is no alternative planet. No planet B. And at the rate that we are destroying our planet, we're accountable to the next generation for the injustice that we are committing."

Bishop David spoke during the launch of the Tree Planting Project at Amparo Village Nature's Park in Novaliches, Caloocan City on November 14. Marriage Encounter Foundation of the Philippines (MEFP) spearheads the project in response to the call of Pope Francis in his encyclical Laudato Si'.

The president of MEFP called on the people to change lifestyle and prioritize protecting the plant.

"The response of MEFP to the call of Pope Francis is not just tree planting. We need to change our lifestyle. It must start inside your home, yourself, behavior, how you act, and most importantly, you must put your heart to protect the planet," said Robert Aventajado, the president of MEFP.

Aventajado stressed the importance of the ecological conversion towards promoting the proper care of one's household.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) distributed 4,000 tree seedlings to carry out the project.

The event was in commemoration of the 5th World Day of the Poor, coinciding with the Laudato Si Action Plan (LSAP) launch. 

Jun and Aida Albino headed the project for ME Buklod 1 Community. Pheng and Arlene Donarber, Laudato Si' Committee Chair, organized the event.

"The project has helped in shaping the knowledge to address environmental problems and climate change threats," said Albino

Albino told Radio Veritas 846 that he hopes that what is started in their community may serve as an example for other communities to follow and "be an example to help how to preserve and take care of our mother nature."

"The MEFP project has helped unite the community towards nature conservation," said Aileen Torre, Laudato Si' Committee member. "It helps our community for the reason that it unites and strengthens the solidarity of the goal, which is to protect the environment."

Bishop Marcelino Antonio Maralit, Jr., Chairman Episcopal Commission on Social Communication of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), expressed gratitude for being a concrete example in protecting our only one mother earth.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines CBCP - and MEFP Bishop Protector, extended his greetings and gratitude for the tree planting initiative that set a concrete example.

"I know it is your response to Pope Francis' call to Laudato Si's initiative to take care of our household," said the prelate, who is also the MEFP Bishop Protector.

Bishop Maralit expressed confidence that "this is the beginning, and you will be a living witness to us, being stewards of our creator's creations."

MEFP is an organization of couples in the Philippines that includes 86 groups with an estimated 500,000 members nationwide.

Caloocan City Mayor, Oscar Malapitan supported the group's project on nature conservation. Malapitan also assured that it would continue to support and respond to church programs and projects.