CALAMBA CITY, Laguna (PIA) – To forestry student Nicholas Erl Baladad of the University of the Philippines-Los Baños (UPLB), a simple gesture like switching off lights when not in use is enough to protect the environment.

Baladad, also a UPLB Forest Society (UPLB ForSoc) external committee member, encouraged his fellow youth to help safeguard the environment even in small ways in preparation for the International Youth Day on August 12 with the theme "Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World.” 

The group highlights the role of the youth in taking a proactive approach in addressing environmental issues in the country.

"Bilang kabataan, hindi [natin] kailangan maging forestry student para mapangalagaan ang ating kalikasan. Ang pagiging aware po sa mga nangyayari sa environmental issues sa ating bansa pati na rin po ang simpleng pagpatay ng ilaw para ma-conserve ang energy, pagsali sa mga aktibidad tulad ng tree planting at clean-up drive at pagsali sa mga diskursong pangkalikasan ay sapat na para makatulong sa environment," he said on Usapang PIA, a radio program hosted by the Philippine Information Agency, last Friday. 

The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) defined green skills as the knowledge, abilities, values and attitudes needed to live in, develop and support a sustainable and resource-efficient society.                                                                                                          

“Kahit gaano kagasgas yung katagang ito pero alam ko po na tayo at tayo [kabataan] pa rin talaga yung gagawa ng malaking epekto sa ating future. Nawa’y mahanap ninyo ang inyong puso sa paglilingkod at pagprotekta ng ating likas na yaman at ng ating bansa,” Baladad added. 

Organized by the United Nations, the International Youth Day dates back to year 2000, it aims to recognize the youth’s efforts in education, community development, environmental groups, and volunteering for different social projects.

This year, the IYD focuses on the difficulties that young people are experiencing as the world embarks on a green transition, which the UN described as a shift towards an environmentally sustainable and climate-friendly world to respond to the global climate crisis and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Baladad cited that taking up a forestry course is timely and relevant in today’s society as expert foresters are produced to help the country.

“Alam naman po nating lahat na yung BS (Bachelor of Science) Forestry ay hindi kilalang kurso sa ating bansa, ngunit kung tutuusin  napapanahon ang BS Forestry considering na globally acknowledged and trending ang usapan regarding environmental issues and concerns, dahil dito nangangailangan po tayo ng skilled and knowledgeable foresters to help the country pati na rin ang ating global community para puksain ang mga isyu na ito,” he said.

According to a December 2022 survey by the Social Weather Station (SWS), nine out of ten Filipinos or 93% have personally experienced the effects of climate change in the last three years.

To acknowledge this phenomenon, the UPLB ForSoc collaborates with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and other attached-agencies in conducting programs related to environment preservation both inside the university and off-campus that includes the Mount Makiling Forest Reserve. 

ForSoc is UPLB's first recognized academic and environmental organization, seeking to nurture consciousness among its members about the importance of environmental preservation and conservation.

“Nag team-up po yung organization namin sa DENR para maisagawa yung mga activities na gusto namin at sa ibang mga sub-agencies ng DENR.  Nagsasagawa at nakikilahok din po ang aming organisasyon sa mga tree planting activities, kagaya ng  “Grow a Tree” program, kung saan nagtatanim ng mga puno ang mga miyembro ng organisasyon sa UP Laguna-Quezon Land Grant kung saan ay maaaring masagawa ang mga ekspirimento, pananaliksik at pagpapalawak ng kaalaman,” Baladad said. 

One of the group’s main initiatives is the “Timpalak sa Gubat” which aims to raise awareness amongst students about the environmental issues.                                                                       

“Kinapalooban ng mga timpalak sa pagguguhit, timpalak sa pagsusulat, at timpalak sa pagtatalumpati [ang programa]. Nagkaroon din po ng online symposium kung saan tinalakay ang forest desperation sa Pilipinas.” (AM/PIA-4A)