These activities are in line with one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of the United Nations (UN): to protect life below water by reducing or eliminating land-based pollutants, including plastic pollution and nutrient and sewage runoff, that adversely affect coastal habitats and communities.
Recently, the officers and members of the Youth for Environment in Schools Organization(YES-O) of Sta. Ana National High School conducted a coastal cleanup at the Aboitiz Cleanergy Park on March 26, 2022 as part of their lineup of activities for the environmental month.
YES-O coordinator Odessa Olimpot shared how the student organization has recently resumed its face-to-face activities like the coastal cleanup. “Since we were not allowed to go out [because of the pandemic], we have our zoom meetings every now and then to remind our members and officers that the conservation of the environment starts at home,” Odessa said.
The teachers accompanied the students who came to the park with their parents’ written permission. As a teacher, Odessa cited examples of how she educates her students regarding the state of the environment. “We let them watch[educational] shows and videos about the environment and we always integrate environmental issues, such as global warming and species extinction, in our science lessons,” Odessa explained. The Aboitiz Cleanergy Park, in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-XI (DENR-XI), is a pawikan rescue center facility and is home to at least 100 birdspecies.
“As a partner school, we can help our stakeholders and private companies through activities like the coastal cleanup. Also, as a public school, we need to lend a hand [in cleaning our coastal areas]. Even if we cannot completely clean everything, at least we’ve offered a bit of assistance. What’s important isthat you did something. So go for it, do something,” Odessa emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships in maintaining the cleanliness of coastal areas. Other public schools like the Philippine Science High School -Southern Mindanao Campus, also conduct coastal cleanup and mangrove planting at the Aboitiz Cleanergy Park.
Aboitiz Cleanergy Park, an eight-hectare ecological preserve and biodiversity conservation site, is located along the coast of Punta Dumalag, Matina Aplaya,Davao City. It serves as a model of habitat conservation and biodiversitymanagement in an urban setting. The park is managed by AboitizPower subsidiary Davao Light, and Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. PR
Students and teachers of Sta. Ana National High School collect sacks of trash at the coastal area of Aboitiz Cleanergy Park. PHOTO Aboitiz/ DLPC