Environmental law enforcement teams to stage chorale concert

The government’s law enforcement groups formed to run after illegal loggers and polluters are taking an unlikely tact to beef up their arsenal - a concert chorale.

The Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force (AILTF) and the Environmental Law Enforcement Task Force (ELETF) are holding a free concert today (November 28) at the central office Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Quezon City, dubbed “Harana sa Kalikasan 2011.”

The concert will feature the Ramon Magsaysay High School Chorale (RMHSC) which was adjudged as the best chorale group by the Aliw Awards Foundation in 2006 and 2007, and won the championship in the prestigious National Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA) in 2005. RMHSC likewise bagged two silver medals in the 2008 Hongkong International Youth and Children’s Hospital Choir Festival.

RMHSC's latest accolade was winning the top prize in the “Musikahan sa Tagum National Chorale Competition” last February and was also declared as a grand prize winner of various chorale competitions organized by the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong, Samsung Phil., Manila Broadcasting Company and the Department of Tourism.

According to AILTF and ELTEF head Major General Renato Miranda (ret.), the holding of the concert “forms part of his organization’s recognition of the potent force of the arts and culture” to shore up public appreciation and participation in efforts to promote environmental activism in the country.

AILTF’s creation was the result of the issuance of Executive Order (EO) No. 23 by President Benigno S. Aquino III last February 1, 2011, tasking the DENR as chair, to give teeth to the government’s enforcement of the EO’s imposition of log ban in natural and residual forests throughout the country.

ELETF, on the other hand, was created last year under DENR Memorandum Circular 2010-15 issued by Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje. AILTF and ELTEF are presently holding office at the DENR Central Office in Visayas Avenue, Quezon City with Miranda as Executive Director. PAO-DENR