ZAMBOANGA CITY, Jan 31 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-9 conducted an Environmental Education Lecture to the Grades 4-6 pupils of three selected Elementary Schools in Zamboanga del Norte.

The schools were Cogon Elementary School, Dohinob Central School, and Tinaplan Integrated School with selected 60 pupils per school who vibrantly participated in the lectures on Basic Ecology, Climate Change, and Solid Waste Management.

In between lectures, cash prizes and rewards such as Tayo ang Kalikasan Bamboo Tumblers, Umbrella, and Comics were handed to the pupils who correctly answered the questions from the lecturers, manifesting excellent competitive skills of the pupils. Pre and post-tests were also administered to assess and evaluate their learnings.

Meanwhile, the Pinas Basura Buster (PBB) mascot brought excitement when he displayed his dance moves with the “Kung Walang Aksaya, Masaya” promotional video in the background.

A tree-growing activity was conducted by the team at the identified areas by each school where the pupils were given the opportunity to plant by themselves with the supervision of the teachers and the DENR.

The facilitators ensured that the young learners understood the information presented to them. They emphasized the severity of the current climate change as they encouraged the youth to do their part little by little as it will have a significant impact on the quest for solid waste management and climate change adaptation and mitigation.

The DENR takes environmental education very seriously because the agency believes in the enormously important role of youth in environmental protection, such as adopting environmentally friendly practices in their homes, schools, and youth organizations, recycling different materials, and conserving resources such as water and electricity.

The School Principals and teachers expressed their gratitude for having their schools chosen for the activity, which allowed the pupils to learn how to better take good care of the environment.

The activity was conducted by DENR-9 in collaboration with the Strategic Communication and Initiatives Service (SCIS) together with the Regional Strategic Communication and Initiatives Group (RSCIG), Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) Zamboanga del Norte and Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Manukan. (NBE/EDT/CCP/PIA9 with reports from DENR Zamboanga Peninsula)