To instill values of environmental stewardship among the youth, a series of activities was held from May to July as part of the Island Green Entrepreneurs (Island Greentreps) project.
The project ended last July 31 with an Environmental Appreciation Day, which served as the graduation ceremony for students from Lapu-Lapu City who finished the program.
The 23 students of Pangan-an High School in barangay Pangan-an, Lapu-Lapu City are now members of the Island Greentreps Movers (IGM) club based in Pangan-an Island. They joined training sessions on entrepreneurship and social responsibility facilitated by Cebu bu City-based youth leaders and volunteers.
Last July 22, they were also in mainland Cebu for a series of eco-learning visits.
They visited the Fair Trade Shop, a social enterprise that markets recycled and other eco-products; barangay Luz, Cebu City for its waste management practices and other environmental programs; and the University of Southern Philippines Foundation, where members had their debriefing after the field trip.
Youth members are expected to bring environmental practices to their homes and community.
The program also featured environmental story caravans and poster-making contest.
Island Greentreps is an entry to this year’s Bayer Young Environmental Envoy Philippines competition.
The project is a collaboration with the Department of Education and the school administration.
Support was also given by other youth and student organizations, such as The Gasa sa Guso Group of Pangan-an Island, Cebu City Sangguniang Kabataan Federation and Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants – Regional Federation.
Project head Michael Angelo Abarcar, a graduating accountancy student of the University of Southern Philippines Foundation, said Greentreps is a concrete expression of “the youth’s capacity to take the lead in carrying out positive actions for the environment.”
The young eco-stewards are expected to pursue their own environmental initiatives in the island. contributed by Alan Angelo B. Llevares