“Ang kabataan ay ang pag-asa ng bayan.” This timeless statement conveys both a message and an important question. The youth population in the Philippines is around 30 million, which corresponds to the waste they generate. In contribution to bringing awareness and information dissemination on waste management. An activity on Ecological Solid Waste Management, Information Education, and Awareness Campaign was held on January 31, 2025, in San Juan, La Union.
Student leaders from Youth for Environment in Schools Organization (YES-O) , Supreme Secondary Learner Government (SSLG), Barkada Kontra Droga Club, Interact Club, Wash In Schools club, and Mathematics club (grades 7-12) of Sto. Rosario National High School participated in the activity. To creatively welcome the participants, the Lupon ng Indibidwal na Nangangalaga sa Kalikasan (LINK) performed a storytelling activity titled “Bayan ng Basura.” The story emphasized the impact of plastic on marine life.
The next part of the activity consisted of discussions. The first topic was Local Solid Waste Management in the Municipality of San Juan presented by Ms. Marlina Abad from the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO). The second topic was Provincial Ordinance No. 426-2023 Banning the Single Use of Plastic discussed by Ms. Shereal Catbagan from the Provincial Government’s Environment and Natural Resources Office (PG-ENRO). The final topic was composting covered by Ms. Jhuna Licudine from the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO). These discussions emphasized the importance of adhering to waste management laws and regulations. Discipline should be instilled in the youth from an early age to promote better waste segregation and disposal practices. Proper waste segregation is only the first step and essential to find beneficial uses for waste.
A site visit to a sanitary landfill and recovery facility was also conducted after the discussions, where students observed demonstrations on upcycling plastic and glass bottles into bricks and the composting process. They were introduced to shredders used for material processing. A mixture of one bag of cement with glass bottles, plastic containers, and cans can produce 47-60 bricks which are then to be used in creating pathways in nurseries. For composting, a mixture of soil and fruit or vegetable peels can serve as fertilizer after 5-7 days of decomposition. This is an innovative example of waste upcycling.
Shaira Angel Marzo, one of the participants from Sto. Rosario National High School, said “As a Kabataan, I want step by step may ginagawa ang mga kabataan sa pagbabago. If we na nagattend ng ganitong seminars and trainings, then why not i-apply namin ito sa outside. Minsan po kasi hindi naiaaply ang mga natutunan dito kagaya ng reuse, reduce, recycle. Kapag nasa labas nakakalimutan na natin yung tamang pagtatapon ng basura. Kung saan saan na lang itinatapon. As a leader, kailangan natin i–absorb yung mga natutunan natin. Simulan muna sa sarili natin and in that way we can lead others too sa classroom man yan, buong school o sa buong community. Tayo ang pag-asa ng bayan na sana para sa future generations simulan na natin i-practice ang waste management.”
In ensuring the effort of the participants in protecting the environment. The activity concluded through a pledge commitment led by Bernardo Martinez, teacher from Sto Rosario High School. He also delivered his thank you message to Jaime V. Ongpin Foundation, Inc., Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office, Lipon ng Indibidwal na Nangagalaga sa Kalikasan, and Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office.
