Legarda Hails Philippine Schools’ Victory at ASEAN Eco-Friendly Schools Award

SENATOR LOREN LEGARDA HAILED THE VICTORY OF TWO PHILIPPINE SCHOOLS AT THE RECENTLY-HELD PRESENTATION OF THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS (ASEAN) ECO-FRIENDLY SCHOOLS AWARD DURING THE MINISTERIAL DINNER FOR THE LAUNCHING OF THE ASEAN ENVIRONMENTAL YEAR (AEY) 2012 IN KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA.
The Iliranan Elementary School in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental and the Camarines Sur National High School were bestowed, together with other primary and secondary high schools in ASEAN countries, the ASEAN Eco-Friendly Schools Award, a recognition given to learning institutions that promote environmentally-sustainable policies, such as the integration of environmental awareness into the curriculum, ecological solid waste management practices, recycling, and greening activities.
“It is heartwarming and very reassuring to see that learning institutions, schoolchildren and youth are directly involved and in the forefront of efforts to create a greener and healthier environment,” Legarda said.
Other winners include Kuala Belait Primary School in Brunei, Hun Sen Sandan Primary School in Cambodia, Tunjung Sekar 1 Elementary School in Indonesia, No. 3 Basic Education Post Primary School in Myanmar, Fuhua Primary School in Singapore, Thuc Nghiem Primary School in Vietnam, Sayyida Hasan Secondary School in Brunei, Sisattanak Lower Secondary School in Laos, Saint Michael Secondary School in Malaysia, and, Muang Krabi School in Thailand.
“The victory of Iliranan Elementary School and Camarines Sur National High School speaks of the growing engagement of schools in environmental protection. Educators and students, as they become more aware, more willing to address the challenges of a threatened environment, are our most effective allies in securing a sustainable future,” Legarda concluded.
Legarda earlier announced that the Department of Education (DepED), in partnership with Luntiang Pilipinas, will select the regional winners and a national winner of the “Best School Forest Park” in August and October, respectively. The winners will be chosen by evaluation teams and the winning schools in the regions will be awarded equipment for computer laboratories and the national winner will receive funding for the construction of new classrooms.
Aside from establishing the Luntiang Pilipinas, which has planted two million trees in more than 500 hectares across the country, Legarda’s efforts for environmental conservation include co-authoring the Republic Act 9512 or the National Environmental Awareness and Education Act of 2008.
The law seeks to integrate the environmental education in school curricula at all levels, whether public or private, including in barangay daycare, pre-school, non formal, technical vocational, professional level, indigenous learning and out of school youth courses or programs.