Capacitating the youth towards environmental management

Bangued, Abra – The DENR is the primary agency tasked to enforce environmental protection, conservation and management. In DENR-Abra, the top officials called on the youth of Abra to be the eco-ambassadors who will work with the office to attain its vision to have a sustainable and clean environment.

A total of fifty (50) students from the different schools in Abra attended recently the Lecture on Environment and Natural Resources Programs at the CENRO Bangued conference Hall.

Forester Shirley T. Leaño, the CENR Officer – CENRO Bangued welcomed the students and inspired them to become more sensitive on environmental matters. She said that they can make their homes and schools more environmental friendly by adopting eco-friendly practices such as recycling of different materials, tree planting and clean-up drives

Ianne April P. Bello, the Human Resource Management Officer discussed the vision, mission, mandate and the sustainable development goals of the DENR. Likewise, Rex B. Ballacillo, Ecosystems Management Specialist II, discussed the topic protected area and biodiversity, its importance and how to protect and manage them.

When the students were asked about Casamata Hill being a protected area, most of them were unaware of its proclamation. Mr. Ballacillo showed photos of endangered floras and faunas in the Philippines and cited mitigating measures.

Meanwhile, Kevin Haji F. Aguinaldo, the Youth Desk Officer of CENRO Bangued concluded the activity by discussing climate change and presented a video clip on its causes and effects. He encouraged the students to put into heart and mind all the lessons they have learned from lecture and to apply and enforce them at home and in school.

The youth are essential in the management of the environment. They represent almost half of the world’s population. Educating and engaging them in environmental protection not only creates direct impact on changing youth behaviors and attitudes, but possibly influences their parents, relatives and other community residents.|C. Bangued, KHFAguinaldo