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Environmental Awareness Activity Heightened Conservation in Southern Luzon

The environmental awareness activity of the Foundation for the Philippine Environment (FPE) partner-grantee Luntiang Alyansa para sa Bundok Banahaw (LABB) has propelled primary and secondary schools to continue similar efforts in protecting Mts. Banahaw and San Cristobal in Laguna and Quezon, and heightened their zeal for conservation.

The recent activity of LABB and San Pablo Colleges (SPC) that gathered around 600 students from 15 primary and secondary schools in San Pablo, Laguna, impressed neighboring schools to participate and make this a yearly activity.

This also came very timely as southern Luzon was ravaged by typhoon Trami (locally known as Typhoon Maring) which was magnified by the southwest monsoon, driving home the point of critical environmental concerns such as climate change. Thus, the children were able to relate how conserving forest resources could alleviate these concerns while providing for basic ecological services needed by the communities.

In her welcome message, SPC Vice President for Academic Affairs Jocelyn Baradas mentioned that young students should be educated on the importance of the environment. “Everyone must be involved, even the young people like you. This is the time to act. If you ask why should you be involved? I say, why not? Everyone of us is bound to suffer the effects of climate change.”

Young as these children may be, Dr. Baradas is hopeful that they will contribute in “small but consistent” ways to help. “I hope you’ll create a multiplier effect to your parents and friends after today’s activity,” she added.

Earlier on, an environmental summit to link organized communities in Laguna for the conservation of Mts. Banahaw-San Cristobal Protected Landscape was initiated by LABB, in partnership with FPE under the Up-scaling Forest Restoration Efforts in Key Biodiversity Areas project and with funding support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Various stakeholders from Quezon and Laguna, including SPC participated in this summit and it resulted in the crafting of an action plan to address identified priority issues, as well as spark green initiatives such as this awareness activity.

By: Michelle D. Alejado, Partnership Building Specialist and
    Florence C. Baula, Knowledge Management Specialist
    FPE-USAID Up-Scaling Forest Restoration in Key Biodiversity Areas Project