The DENR – PENRO Negros Occidental spearheaded the Youth ECO 143 Workshop Year II that was supposed to be conducted at Patag, Silay City, Negros Occidental, but postponed due by Typhoons Paeng and Queenie was held at the PENRO Negros Occidental Conference Hall.
TSD Chief Catherine Balasa welcomed all TAK-ENR ambassadors, advisers from Tanza National High School, Lopez Jaena National High School, Mabini Farm School, Dr. Vicente F. Gustilo Memorial National High School, Hope Builders Organization Negros Island Inc. and guests, reiterating the important role of the youth as eco-warriors. She also extended her congratulations and support to all upcoming environmental activities that will be initiated by the youth.
OIC-PENRO Joan Nathaniel Gerangaya said he firmly believes that the youth are the ones who will help in preserving and conserving the environment and its natural resources. He is hopeful that the Youth Eco Warriors’ voices will be amplified, so it would reach far and wide, in helping saving, preserving and managing the environment.
As a department responsible for watching over and safeguarding our country’s natural resources, the Tayo Ang Kalikasan – Environment Natural Resources (TAK –ENR) Ambassadors Project was planned and with its goals to give awareness towards the youth on environmental concepts, gender development and the department’s core values, as well as encourage the youth to be passionate not only in environmental projects but also become agents or warriors that could reach more people and provide environmental awareness to their communities.
TAK- ENR Ambassadors from different schools last year were gathered and were able to successfully name their project ECO 143.
ECO 143 is an environment platform that aims to increase the environmental awareness of the community about the importance of natural resources and conservation; to reinforce education about solid waste avoidance and volume reduction through source reduction and waste minimization; and to provide training on composting, recycling, reusing and recovering, and creating waste material into something environmentally acceptable.
One of the highlights of the activity was the MOPA Signing to seal the partnership of the office and the schools/organization. It was led by Gerangaya and witnessed by OIC-CENRO Mamad Gandarosa Jr. of CENRO Cadiz, OIC-CENRO Rosievel Dimatulac of CENRO Bago and Balasa. Certificates of Recognition and Appreciation as well as tokens were distributed to all TAK-ENR Ambassadors and Advisers facilitated by all Information Officers and Alternate Information Officers of the Province of Negros Occidental.
All TAK-ENR Ambassadors and Advisers were then given opportunities to state their commitment, environmental activities to be initiated and continue the existing programs they are implementing with the support of DENR-PENRO Negros Occidental in their respective schools and organization.
In her closing message, Dimatulac expressed her gratitude to all participants and officials who came and supported the activity. She encouraged the TAK-ENR Ambassadors to continue being role models and influence their peers to also be good stewards of the environment.*
