Grade 5 and 6 Elementary school students from Bauang, City of San Fernando, and San Juan, La Union converged in an environmental educational activity centered on solid waste management and environmental awareness last July 3, 4 and 5 2024.
Each day kicked off with a session of Sustainable Kusina, where students gathered and asked to participate in demonstrating the importance of waste segregation in their household especially in the preparation of their meals. The session sparked lively discussions not only from the grade school students but from the teachers and parents as well. JVOFI staff also discussed possible plastic waste diversion through upcycling.
After the Sustainable Kusina, the atmosphere was filled with excitement as LINK (lupon ng mga Indibidwal na Nangangalaga ng Kalikasan) volunteers encouraged students particvpateee in the activity through dance, question and answer. The LINK proceeded to present Bayan ng Basura. The students were transported into the world of Pawikan (Sea Turtle) through the story Bayan ng Basura. The story is about the consequences of plastic waste to our oceans and marine ecosystems. The production entertained the students and also ignited important discussions on coastal resources stewardship, solid waste management and environmental awareness.
In the afternoon, students put their knowledge through a quiz bee. Questions ranged from waste management and environmental concepts and general science. The quiz bee encouraged friendly competition and reinforced the importance of education in shaping environmentally responsible young citizens.
The winners of the quiz bee are: Romielle Anne Nerise Serrano - Pagdalagan Norte, San Fernando City, John Kerby Lagang from - Payocpoc Sur, San Juan and Ranz Marlo Vilog - Ili Sur, Bauang.
Towards the end of the activity these young learners stepped into their roles as advocates for the environment as they pledged their commitment and sealed it their handprints on the canvas.
Mark Anthony Farol, a participant from Baccuit Sur shared that “The activity was great, especially the show this morning. I learned that I should never throw garbage in the ocean because it harms sea animals”
“kailangan matuto tayo magkaroon ng disiplina, dapat magsegregatae, dapat matapon ng tama, huwag sa dagat ang mga basura, kasi yung mga basura natin kapag bumabagyo, bumabalik din sa atin yan at maaring magdulot ng sakit’ (we need to be disciplined. We must segregate. We must dispose garbage properly. Do not throw garbage into the ocean, because when there is a storm, it comes back to us and can cause illness) one of the parent shared.
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The Upcycling and Recycling Training is an activity under the Plastic Recovery and Recycling for Clean Coasts (or Clean Coasts Project).
The Plastic Recovery and Recycling for Clean Coasts (or Clean Coasts Project) was a two-year project funded by the Coca-Cola Foundation Inc. The project has a 6-month extension that is currently implemented by the JVOFI. The project was implemented in the coastal barangays of Bauang, San Juan, and San Fernando in La Union. It aimed to reduce plastic pollution in these barangays through the collective participation of community stakeholders in the sustainable management of plastic waste.
