TARLAC CITY (PIA) -- About 33 high school students in Tarlac joined the Spoken Word Poetry Contest organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

It is part of the celebration of Consumer Welfare Month (CWM) this October which carries the theme “GenS: Generation Sustainable”.
 
DTI Tarlac Senior Trade-Industry Development Specialist Ana Marie Tabamo emphasized that this year’s theme reminds consumers to be mindful about the environment.
 
“The theme of CWM is a reminder for all of us consumers to take care of our one and only planet, not only for us to enjoy its bountiful resources today, but also for the next generations to come,” she said.
 
Contest pieces students presented highlighted the importance of responsible consumerism, as well as the 7 Rs of sustainability namely rethink, refuse, reduce, reuse, repair, regift, and recycle.
 
Gabriel Luis Mangune of Caluluan National High School bagged first place while WL Margareth Angeles of Tarlac Montessori School finished second and Francine May Wisey Lagasca of Tarlac National High School ended third.
 
Meanwhile, DTI OIC-Provincial Director Florencia Balilo expressed her gratitude to the participating institutions.
 
“We are very grateful to the Department of Education and the participating schools for always supporting the Consumer Welfare Month celebration.  With this activity, we can create awareness among our students about consumerism, empower, and educate them in their purchasing decisions even at a young age,” she said.

Mangune will represent the province at the regional level. (CLJD/GLSB-PIA 3)