Some 2,000 students from Puerto Princesa schools participated in a “biodiversity youth forum” last week, a preparatory activity for next month’s week-long Subaraw Biodiversity Festival being organized by the city government.
Mickel Ollave, community organizer at the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (PPSRNP) said the activity was aimed at educating the youth about environmental protection and conservation, and the importance of natural parks.
“Ang aim natin ay mas mapalalim ‘yong understanding nila sa importansya ng Underground, at ‘yong connection ng Underground sa kung bakit natin ito pinapahalagahan at pino-protektahan lalung-lalo na sa mga kabataan na lagi nating sinasabi na sila ‘yong future natin, sila ang susunod na henerasyon,” Ollave said.
Ollave said this activity was initiated by in PPUR Foundation Inc. in partnership with PPUR Office and City Government, Pilipinas Shell Foundation (PSFI), and NCCC Cares Inc.
Edilberto Magpayo, PSFI representative and one of the speakers during the biodiversity lectured about “plastics” and the environment.
“Hangga’t kaya natin na mabago ‘yong ating sarili sa usapin ng pag-respeto at pagiging responsible sa paggamit ng plastics ay magagawa natin sa pamamagitan ng pagpapataas ng kamalayan sa epektong dulot nito sa mundo,” Magpayo said.
Magpayo said in his experience, teaching children about the importance of the environment has a positive and significant impact in their adulthood.
