By: Myranel S. Canceran
The Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems (MCME) through its Social Forestry Division (SFD), College of Forestry and Natural Resources-University of the Philippines Los Baños (CFNR-UPLB), in collaboration with the Philippine Geothermal Production Company, Inc. (PGPC), conducted the 17th Youth Summer Program on Environmental Education (YSP) with the theme Youth Mobilization for Sustainable Ecosystems on May 11-12 and 18, 2024. The lecture-discussion and environmental games and tour activities of the program was held at the Malinta Elementary School, Malinta, Los Banos, Laguna and Mount Makiling Forest Reserve ASEAN Heritage Park (MMFR AHP), respectively. The Youth Summer Program on Environmental Education (YSP) is conducted annually to raise youth awareness and appreciation of the values and importance of caring for the environment, as well as to prepare them cognitively and ethically to respond willingly to environmental needs for the benefit of society.
This year, the participants were from the Malinta Elementary School, Malinta, Los Banos, Laguna. The participants were consisting of 37 students and four (4) teacher-coordinators. From the 37 students, 20 students (54%) were from Grade IV level and 17 students (46%) were from Grade V level. The age range of the participants is nine (9), ten (10), 11, and 12 years old, with 11%, 43%, 41%, and 5% of the participants, respectively. In terms of a person’s biological characteristics (sex), twenty-two (59%) students are male, while 15 (41%) students are female. The students are from the barangays Malinta (86%), Mayondon (11%), and San Antonio (3%) of Los Banos, Laguna.
During the opening program on 11 May 2024, an inspirational message was delivered by Hon. Jesus De Una, Jr., the Barangay Captain of Barangay Malinta, Los Banos, Laguna; Ms. Jeanzzie G. Ilagan, Principal of Malinta Elementary School represented by Dr. Sheryl O. Casili, and For. Nicasio M. Balahadia, head of the Social Forestry Division of MCME. After the opening program, the lecture-discussion was held on the different topics delivered by respective resource persons: Levelling-off Activity/ Environmental Education (For. Myranel S. Canceran), Environmental Principles (For. Karla Jane P. Gonzalvo), Forest, Effects of Forest Degradation, Global Warming and Climate Change (For. Marlo M. Cana), Importance of Mount Makiling as a Natural Resource and its Point of Interests (For. Angela A. Limpiada), Policies, Laws, and Regulations in MMFR and other mountain ecosystems (For. Aldin C. Alegre), and An Introduction to Watershed (For. Leonardo D. Barua).
On 12 May 2024, topics on Creative Work on Literary and Artworks and Paintings was presented by Ms. Gillian Katherine I. Quilloy of Department of Social Forestry and Forest Governance (DSFFG-CFNR) and Development on Environmental School/Community project was presented by For. Mary Anne G. Abadillos of MCME. Three (3) outputs from the lectures were submitted by the participants such as poster making about the theme of the activity, essay about the word sustainability, and environmental school projects.
On 18 May 2024, a Lakbay Aral kay Maria Makiling (guided tour) facilitated by For. Angela A. Limpiada of MCME was conducted wherein the participants visited the Mudspring area in MMFR AHP. An environmental amazing race was held in the Makiling Rainforest Park of MMFR AHP facilitated by Foresters Ma. Ruffa P. Guab and Milles M. Vizcarra with the assistance of other MCME staff. The continuation of the guided tour was held at the Makiling Botanic Gardens (MBG). After the guided tour and games, the closing program was held in Toyota Education and Environment Theater (TEET) in MBG. The closing program was started with a message from the Director of MCME represented by For, Balahadia, followed by feedback from the participants delivered by Mr. Paul Mario S. Villamayor (Grave IV), Ms. Maria Gaia Ledlinn A. Alcala (Grade V), and Dr. Sheryl O. Casili (Teacher-Coordinators). The awarding of certificates for the winner on poster making and essay writing and certificates of participation was held after the feedback from the participants. The closing remarks was delivered by Prof. Juancho B. Balatibat, head of BGPED-MCME as represented by For. Leilani A. Castillo. The YSP once again was held successfully. According to Dr. Casili, YSP is a complete package for the students in reference to the observation tool of the Department of Education.
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