The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has partnered with the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) in Manila to tap its students to become the "environment and natural resources (ENR) ambassadors."
As part of the partnership, DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu turned over 100 units of tablet computers to PUP Executive Vice President Alberto Guillo last Oct. 14.
The tablet computers were to be distributed to the ENR ambassadors.
"Behavior change is difficult to achieve so we need the assistance of the education sector to help us effect change in the minds of the students and the youth, and to change their practices," Cimatu said.
"We will be working together, and with the ENR ambassadors, you can help us in our main effort which is to clean up Manila Bay by cleaning the esteros and rivers that flow into it," he added.
DENR-National Capital Region (NCR) Director Jacqueline Caancan and PUP President Manuel Muhi led the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MoA) for the ENR Ambassador Project last Aug. 19.
The project was initiated by DENR Undersecretary for Solid Waste Management and LGU Concerns Benny Antiporda, citing the important role the youth play in the promotion of the DENR programs, projects, and activities.
The agreement aims to identify, capacitate, and mobilize qualified PUP students to become ENR ambassadors, making them competent and credible champions of DENR programs on information, education, and communication campaign.
The students will also be tapped in the agency’s advocacy for the protection, conservation, preservation, restoration, rehabilitation, and development of the environment in Metro Manila, including the Manila Bay region.
As ENR ambassadors, they will teach other students on environmental issues that concern the region, including pollution, resource degradation, and climate change.
They will also mobilize youth support in the cleanup, rehabilitation, and protection of Manila Bay.
Under the MoA, the DENR-NCR will conduct the training of the students to be its partners in the protection and conservation of the environment and natural resources.
It will provide appropriate resources for use in their environmental advocacies and to expedite their communication and coordination with DENR.
PUP is tasked to screen, verify, and vouch for the good standing of its students applying as ENR ambassadors.
It will also assist the DENR-NCR in monitoring and evaluating the IEC and advocacy performance of PUP ENR ambassadors and recommend improvements on the project.