Youth Summer Program (YSP) is an annual activity of the Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems (MCME) of the College of Forestry and Natural Resources (CFNR), University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB). It is designed to promote forest conservation, public awareness, appreciation and knowledge on the importance and value of forests, plants, and environment.
This year, MCME held its 14th YSP on Environmental Education in Sto. Tomas North Central School, Sto. Tomas, Batangas from May 23 to 25, 2018. This years’ theme was on “Youth Mobilization for Sustainable Ecosystems.” The activity was in collaboration with the Department of Education-Sto. Tomas North District, Sto. Tomas, Batangas, MagTree Solutions, Inc., and Philippine Geothermal Power Corporation (PGPC).
A total of 28 Grade V and VI students and six (6) teacher coordinators from eight (8) schools under the Department of Education-Sto. Tomas North District, Sto. Tomas, Batangas namely: Doña Tiburcia Carpio Malvar Elementary School in Barangay San Miguel, Sto. Tomas, Batangas; San Antonio Elementary School in Barangay San Antonio, Sto. Tomas, Batangas; San Bartolome Elementary School in Barangay San Bartolome, Sto. Tomas, Batangas; San Roque Elementary School in Barangay San Roque, Sto. Tomas, Batangas; Santiago Elementary School in Barangay Santiago, Sto. Tomas, Batangas; San Vicente Elementary School in Barangay San Vicente, Sto. Tomas, Batangas; Sta. Anastacia Elementary School in Barangay San Rafael, Sto. Tomas, Batangas; and Sto. Tomas North Central School in Barangay Poblacion IV, Sto. Tomas, Batangas participated the 14th YSP.
During the opening program on May 23, 2018, an inspirational message was delivered by the District Supervisor of Sto. Tomas North District, Dr. Guillerma L. Bilog represented by Ms. Jennifer May C. Salazar and Director of MagTree Solutions, Inc., For. Edgar R. Vermudo represented by Mr. Ildefonso Nova.
After the opening program, lecture-discussions on different topics was presented by the MCME Staff namely: For. Mae Belen L. Putian on Environmental Principles; For. Aldin C. Alegre on Forests, Effects of Forest Degradation, Global Warming and Climate Change; For. Angela A. Limpiada on Importance of Mount Makiling as Natural Resource and its Point of Interests; For. Analyn C. Malayba on Policies, Laws, and Regulations in Mount Makiling Forest Reserve (MMFR); and For. Leonardo D. Barua on Introduction to Watershed.
On May 24, 2018, topics on Creative Works was presented by For. Myranel S. Canceran and Ms. Gillian Katherine L. Inciong of MCME and Development on Environmental School/Community project was presented by For. Nicasio M. Balahadia. Four (4) outputs from the lectures were submitted by the participants such as drawing about the theme of the activity, slogan on how to protect the environment, essay on how a student can contribute in the protection of Mount Makiling, and environmental school projects.
On May 25, 2018, a study tour facilitated by Mr. Benjamin D. Arizala of MCME was conducted wherein the participants visited the Museum of Natural History in UPLB, Mudspring area in MMFR, and Makiling Botanic Gardens (MBG). After the study tour, awarding of the top 3 participants in best in drawing, slogan, and essay and closing program was held in Toyota Education and Environment Theater (TEET) in MBG. Dr. Willie P. Abasolo, Dean of the College of Forestry and Natural Resources (CFNR), UPLB delivered a message to the participants and awarded certificates together with the head of the Social Forestry Division of MCME For. Nicasio M. Balahadia.
MSCanceran
Photos credit to: LDBarua, AALimpiada, GKLInciong and MSCanceran