Fresh from his election as president of Pro-Life Philippines, Environment Secretary Joselito Atienza yesterday signed a memorandum of agreement with National Police Chief Jesus Verzosa deputizing the Maritime Group as environmental law enforcers.

Under the agreement, Atienza?s department and the Maritime Group will jointly uphold laws on forestry law, fishery and wildlife.

?All Maritime Group officers throughout the country will not only enforce the law for peace and order but will be environmental law enforcers as well,? Atienza said in his speech.

Verzosa said these new initiatives will help complement the police campaign to clean and save the shorelines and coastal waters throughout the country.

Senior Supt. Freddie Panen, acting director of the Maritime Group, said his office has initiated projects to protect the environment.

In another development, Atienza was unanimously elected president of Pro-Life Philippines, during a gathering of pro-life advocates and leaders at the Good Shepherd Convent in Quezon City.

Atienza vowed to speed up Pro-Life?s massive information and orientation program in propagating a ?culture of life? and to combat the challenges which destroy correct values and right principles of Filipino families, especially the pending reproductive health bill that endorses abortion.

Atienza, being the only undefeated mayor of Manila for three consecutive terms, has consistently and strongly advocated the preservation and strengthening of Filipino family values by promoting responsible parenthood and providing sustainable development.

Atienza pointed out that, learning from progressive nations such as China and India, a big Filipino population can ensure economic growth without resorting to population control that will definitely condition the people to accept abortion and a ?culture of death.?

The other officers of Pro-Life Philippines are Tony Kosta, chairman; Ed Soretta, vice president; Havy Padilla, secretary; Finda Lacanlalay, treasurer; and Sis. Pilar Verzosa, spiritual director. Romie A. Evangelista