By Marie Tonette Grace Marticio
Palo, Leyte – A 20-feet sculpture of Christ made out of scrap materials, debris from typhoons and items confiscated by the police was inaugurated Monday.
The ‘Environmental Jesus’ on a hill overlooking Camp Ruperto Kangleon stands as a reminder that the Philippines, particularly Eastern Visayas is prone to natural calamities such as Super Typhoon Yolanda.
Outgoing Police Regional Office 8 (PRO8) chief Gilberto Cruz led the inauguration.
The statue is the creation of Lucky Salayog, a metal artist from Aurora, Isabela, who worked on the project for three months.
Along the one-kilometer trail going up to the statue are 14 Stations of the Cross intended for meditation.
Cruz said the Environmental Jesus is a reminder for everyone to stop destroying the environment.
"The sculpture embodies PRO8's commitment to ensure and uphold environmental protection," he said. We only have one Earth, and we only have now to save it."
The materials for the statue are an artistic representation of the people's resiliency, he said.