Legazpi diocese launches campaign, holds Conference on Environmental Stewardship and Good Governance

By Natalie Hazel Quimlat

Over 300 delegates pledged their commitment to protect the environment and to hold their leaders accountable as stewards of God’s creation in an event organized by the Social Action Center of the Diocese of Legazpi, in partnership with the Philippine Biodiversity Conservation Foundation, Inc.

Addressing these participants last July 23 at the Legazpi Convention Center, Legazpi Bishop Joel Baylon highlighted the call of the late Pope Francis on environmental stewardship. Citing both his papal documents on the matter, Laudato Si and Laudate Deum, Baylon echoed the need to “address the reality of climate change and its escalating impact on the lives of people”.

“Pope Francis called for societies around the world to change their lifestyles and intensify grassroots activities aimed at reducing the negative human impact on the natural environment,” he said.

“Pope Francis warned that the ongoing dramatic environmental degradation strongly affects not only the indigenous peoples, the poor, and endangered species, but also the future of all young people.”

According to the prelate, Pope Leo XIV, current Head of the Catholic Church, reaffirms his predecessor’s “commitment to ecological conversion and action”.

“Emphasizing the interconnectedness of environmental and social justice, Pope Leo is urging us all to move from words to action in addressing the ecological crisis and promoting integral ecology rooted in faith, giving stress on concrete steps and initiatives to address ecological challenge.”

Baylon, whose pastoral leadership is also known for heeding the call of the Catholic Church to “care for our common home”, closed his message by calling everyone present to a “personal and communal commitment” as stewards of God’s creation and “to do our utmost best in taking care of our common home and help preserve it for the next generations”.

Themed “Mag-hawas sa Kadipisilan, Protektaran an Kapalibotan, Labanan an Katiwalian”, Dr. Lisa Paguntalan-Marte, a well-known biodiversity conservation expert, gave the keynote address. The signing and reading of the Pledge of Commitment, concluded the whole-day event.

The Diocese of Legazpi will celebrate its Diamond Jubilee as a diocese in 2026. Currently, its Social Action Center is headed by Fr. Eric Martillano.

The Most Rev. Joel Z. Baylon, D.D., Rev. Fr. Eric Martillano, and Rev. Fr. Errol Bataga, Jr., together with concerned stakeholders and all participants, wholeheartedly recited and signed the Diocesan Pledge of Commitment for Environmental Stewardship and Good Governance during the final part of the Launching of the Diocesan Campaign and Conference on Environmental Protection & Good Governance, held at the Legazpi City Expo Center last July 23, 2025. (Radyo Veritas Legazpi)