GAD - DENR V Celebrates Womens Month
  

Decisions help shape communities. The decision-makers must, therefore, be adequately informed to make sound judgement in a forum where such decisions are made. Information becomes a critical tool in keeping the public informed so that actions are elicited, and most importantly, the public approves government programs in response to expressed needs. Such as depict the functional relationship between the government agencies and the public.

But new challenges would require more than disseminating information and expecting public participation as an end-goal. Climate change adaptation, the most pervasive challenge humanity is faced with, could not be delivered in palliative dozes or in piece meal fashion of information dissemination. The government decided through, its Republic Act 9512 or Environmental Education (EE) act that it must take a process of changing knowledge, renewing appreciation and altering practices that would ultimately contribute to restore ecological balance.

Digesting EE theme, compliance, and commitments

The DENR took the lead and brought together educators, policymakers, line agencies such as CHEd, TESDA, PIA, the business sector represented by the Phil. Chamber of Commerce, Inc. among others to take stock of what the issues are, the challenges, and steps to move forward.

Foremost to existing programs are DepEd's effort to inculcate in the students the virtues "makatao, makadios, maka bayan at maka kalikasan"; and PIA's tama, wasto at napapanahong impormasyon, sagot sa banta ng kalikasan. However, one of the major gaps identified in implementing the Environmental Education Act is funding support. Cing. Belma A. Cabilao, chair, committe on ecology. House Representatives, vowed to support the Act. One of the consensuses at the forum was: while there is insufficient fund there is a wide opportunity for resource-sharing such as technical expertise, facilities, and manpower.

The huge task of increasing the people's awareness on the direct link of natural resources to activities that could generate income, that translate into increased per capital income while maintaining ecological balance for this and the future generations fall into the hands primarily of the environment agency, and the education department. DENR Undersecretary Teresita Samson Castillo underscored this as she addressed the recently held Forum-Workshop on Environmental Education. Challenges for Action in Clark, Pampanga. She cited that global initiatives in Environmental Education are in existence at the global, regional and national levels. For instance, the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development 2005-2014; the ASEAN Environmental Education Action Plan-Phil; and the National Environmental Environmental Education Action Plan for Sustainable Development (2005-2014) had the country as member.

The participants committed to: 1) forge continuous partnership with agencies and institutions in promoting and developing environmentally literate concerns; 2) work for a better appreciation of the environment through creative projects with the economic potentials; 3) implement and enhance work education curriculum: a creativity and productivity project; and 4) monitor and provide technical assistance.

EE, climate change adaptation and yardsticks to determin success

Challenges to climate change adaptation are daunting, Executive Director Marivel Secendoncillo of Local Government Academy underscored the need to pursue orientation programs for elected officials-solid waste, ladn use; Urban environmental management-focus in adaptation and mitigation of climate change effects; Enhance partnerships with funding institutions; Data base on best practices, e.g. husay balangay; Creation of techno transfer facilities, training courses-Integrated Coastal Environment Program for communities water and sanitation planning; solid waste management, transport mgt., and climate adaptation.

 

  Albay