2 Visayas schools proclaimed eco-friendly

AT least two schools in the Visayas grabbed the top two spots in the 2011 national search for sustainable and eco-friendly schools.

Iliranan Elementary School in Negros Occidental placed first in the elementary category, while the University of San Jose-Recoletos High School emerged second in the high school category.

The delegates from Iliranan Elementary School led by principal Jessie Batosin won for their project titled “School personnel reaching out to every household in the community (Sprout Ehcom).” Their entry is in response to the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, aimed at improving the habits of the community towards proper waste disposal and segregation.

They bested the Kibawe Central School, which placed second, and San Mariano Elementary School, third.

The USJ-R, on the other hand, lagged behind first-placer Camarines Sur National High School, but ahead of third-placer Daniel R. Aguinaldo National High School.

The winners in the college category were De La Salle University–Dasmariñas, first place; Palawan State University, second place; and Ateneo De Manila University, third.

The winners were awarded plaques of recognition and cash prizes of P50,000 for first place; P40,000, second place; and P30,000, third place.

As regional winners, the schools and 36 other finalists also received P10,000 cash and a certificate of recognition.

The winners were proclaimed during the awarding ceremony held at the SM City North Edsa Activity Center as part of the celebration marking November as National Environmental Awareness Month.

Now on its second run, the search was launched in 2009 to recognize schools with the best sustainable and environment-friendly programs and activities. It is jointly conducted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau, the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education and Smart Communications.

Lawyer Juan Miguel Cuna, director of the Environmental Management Bureau of DENR, thanked the participants in the search for setting a good example. “If there are model cities, there can be model schools too. We at DENR will continue to extend technical services, skills development and education through our regional offices.”

“We would like to promote environmental awareness among the youth. This can be achieved by working with their schools. Smart supports this project as part of our Kabalikat sa Kalikasan program,” said Smart senior manager for Community Partnerships Darwin Flores.