The Quezon City government is bringing to the city’s public schools the intensified campaign to lessen the effects of climate change and global warming.
This year, the QC Environment Protection and Waste Management Department (EPWMD) headed by Ms. Frederika Rentoy will be mobilizing the public schools in information dissemination that will raise the awareness of the students on environmental protection issues and concerns and the effects of climate change.
As part of this effort, there will be awarding ceremonies to be led by Mayor Herbert Bautista at QC Hall on Monday (April 18) for the top participating schools under the Hakot Bulasi sa Eskwela Project.
Three schools at the elementary and high school level that have generated the most number of recyclables for school year 2010-2011 will be given awards, including their principals who will be given certificate of recognition.
Topnotchers from the elementary level are Diosdado Macapagal Elementary School with 2,049.88 volume of recyclables redeemed worth P13,305.27; P. Bernardo Elementary School with 1,980.58 recyclables worth P13,963.91; and Payatas A Elementary School with 1,559.40 recyclables worth P11,202.80.
High school level awardees are Lagro High School with 6,174.26 recyclables worth P32,825.07; North Fairview High School with 2,188.70 recyclables worth P14,671.63; and Commonwealth High School with 1,471.85 recyclables worth P12,772.80.
The QC government will also give certificate of appreciation to IPM-ESI, Green Light Environmental Services, QC Environment Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Linis Ganda), Rotary Club of Quezon City and the partner junkshops of the winning schools for their unwavering support in the implementation of the project.
The Hakot Bulasi sa Eskwela Project was first implemented in 2008 with the goal of raising student’s environmental awareness and encouraging the school-based practice of waste segregation and recycling, which are considered effective in contributing to efforts at protecting the environment.
Under the project, which was able to teach the students that waste is a valuable resource that should be recovered, groceries and school supplies were given to students in exchange for recyclable waste.
Rentoy noted that during the first phase of the project, an average of more than 1 metric ton of recyclable waste was collected from each of the 6 pilot schools, then up to 113 metric tons the following years.
To date, around 21 percent of all public elementary and high schools in the city are already included in the project. -30- Maureen Quinones, PAISO
