Protecting Palawan’s environment no longer rests on law enforcement alone.
Government agencies, which are in charge of taking care of it, are now looking to the province’s youth, hoping that environmental education will produce the next generation of conservation advocates.
That effort was highlighted during the Youth Forum and Green Minds Quiz Bee Challenge held in Roxas on June 25, where the District Management Division (DMD) North of the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff (PCSDS) joined local government officials, educators, and students in this year’s Philippine Environment Month celebration.
Organized by the Roxas Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO), the activity carried the theme, “Climate Action: Fostering Community Spirit, Caring for the Environment.”
It brought together government agencies, stakeholders, teachers, and students to strengthen youth participation in environmental protection and sustainable development.
PCSDS used the event to introduce students to the province’s environmental laws and conservation programs through an information exhibit featuring the Strategic Environmental Plan (SEP) for Palawan, biodiversity conservation, wildlife protection, the Environmentally Critical Areas Network (ECAN), environmental permitting, and other key environmental initiatives.
During the information and education campaign, DMD North personnel discussed climate change, youth participation in environmental stewardship, Republic Act No. 7611 or the SEP Law, the mandate of the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD), and other environmental policies being implemented across Palawan.
Nine secondary schools from Roxas also took part in the Green Minds Quiz Bee Challenge, where students tested their knowledge of climate change, biodiversity conservation, the SEP Law, and other environmental issues.
The competition served as an interactive way of reinforcing lessons while encouraging students to take a more active role in protecting the province’s natural resources.
According to PCSDS, the activity reflects the continuing partnership among local government units, government agencies, and educational institutions in equipping young Palaweños with the knowledge needed to become future advocates of environmental conservation and sustainable development.
