Search on for ‘sustainable, eco-friendly schools’ in Bataraza

The municipality of Bataraza has launched its search for “Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools” in a bid to encourage awareness for the environment and to invite participation in discussing issues concerning protection and conservation.

The search was formally launched in the town on May 22 following a memorandum order issued by Mayor Abraham Ibba.

Atty. Noel Aquino, chief of the Palawan government’s Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO), said the slogan for the local search is “Dito sa Bataraza, Bawal ang Basura.”

“Ipakita natin na kaya natin dito sa Bataraza ang slogang ‘Dito sa Bataraza, Bawal ang Basura’. ‘Yon po ang gawin natin, ‘yon ang sundin natin. Kung kailangan na nating gamitin ang ating mga kabataan ngayon, gamitin na po natin para dito,” Aquino said.

The members of the search committee include the PENRO, Municipal ENRO of Bataraza, Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD), Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corp. (RTNMC), Coral Bay Nickel Corporation (CBNC), Unichamp, DepEd Districts 1 and 2.

In the search, the participating schools will be judged based on cleanliness, sanitation, technology, and compliance with R.A. 9003 (Ecological Solid Waste Management Act). Awarding will be on November 11, 2019.

The RTNMC, CBNC, and Unichamp have prepared P650,000 as prices for the contest under their Social Development and Management Program (SDMP) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs.

“Masayang-masaya kami sa DepEd dahil sa contest na ito at isa sa mga values na pinapa-implement sa amin ay ang pagiging maka-kalikasan kaya walang paaralan ang hindi pwedeng sumali. Kasi commitment nating mga paaralang ito, commitment nating lahat ito sa Bataraza,” said Rutheda Bacosa, supervisor of the DepEd District 1 in Bataraza.

Forester Reynaldo Rivera, chief of the Bataraza MENRO, said the schools in the town can do the challenge like Puerto Princesa City that has a strict anti-littering law.

He said even residents of Bataraza should get inspiration from the intention of the nationwide search so they can participate in making their communities clean.

“Sana mai-disseminate natin ito sa ating mga kaibigan, sa mga taga-ibang lugar. Kung nagawa ng Puerto Princesa noon na maging mahigpit pagdating sa basura, magagawa din natin dito sa ating bayan,” Rivera said.