Synthesis of Status, Gaps, Challenges and Commitments on Environmental Education

1. Synthesis of Status, Gaps, Challenges and Commitments on Environmental Education By Lope A. Calanog Eliseo M. Baltazar Liberty E. Asis Forum-Workshop on Republic Act 9512 (Environmental Awareness and Education Law): Challenges for Action. Hotel Stotsenberg, Clarkfield, Pampanga, July 30-31, 2009

2. Opening Ceremonies Invocation, singing of national anthem and special number by the E.M. Ganzon Elementary School

3. Opening Remarks by Dr. Magdalena Roque of DepEd-Region III • The DepEd inculcates in the students, the virtues of being Makatao, MakaDiyos, Makabayan at Makakalikasan • EE is already included in the curriculum for elementary • She emphasized that what is needed are people who can take care of the environment not only in words but also in action.

4. Message by Cong. Belma A. Cabilao Chair, Committee on Ecology, House of Representative • Gave recognition to the importance of EE in the educational system –we need to start EE with the children. • Congress will work and support the work on the environment – in terms of funds • Expressed hope that everybody will work hard to promote RA 9512

5. Keynote Address Delivered by USEC Teresita Samson Castillo on behalf of Secretary Jose L. Atienza, Jr. of DENR • Laws on environment are in place. With technical capacity and technical people—and with the given law, RA 9152, “we can bravely face environmental challenges” • It is time to put our acts together for a better world. Keep idealism high. EE should be made for the youth and citizens. Form alliances for environmental protection. • Continue educate and to learn for a cleaner, greener environment.

6. Opening Paper by USEC Tessam Castillo Environmental Situationer Philippines has rich biodiversity: marine resources, mineral resources But one of the hotspots of habitat destruction

7. Opening Paper by USEC Tessam Castillo EE initiatives and efforts are already at the Global, Regional (ASEAN), National Levels. • United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014) • 2. ASEAN Environmental Education Action Plan – Philippines is member • 3. National Environmental Education Action Plan for Sustainable Development (2005-2014) • Republic Act 9512 – Environmental Awareness and Education Act of 2008 • -Promote awareness on the role of natural resources in economic growth and importance of environmental conservation and ecological balance toward sustained national development

8. Opening Paper by USEC Tessam Castillo Challenges: • Maintenance of a common resource facility for environmental IEC exchange • Training of teachers and trainors for EE for sustainable development • Curriculum and Support Instructional Materials • Full utilization of other venue (e.g. multi-media and alternative media) • Strengthening partnerships and networking • Funds/Financial support to expand EE for SD programs, particularly in the regions.

9. FORUM PAPERS

10. USEC Antonio Inocentes of DEPED • Basic Education Sector Initiatives • Curriculum review • Support conduct of environment-related celebrations • Close linkage with the government, NGO, nonprofit org, etc; upgrade teachers’ competencies on EE • Science camps as alternative awareness on environment • Advocacy – zero waste management • Issuance of policies: - Panunumpa sa watawat, planting of malunggay trees

11. USEC Antonio Inocentes of DEPED • EE is not separate from school lessons, it is integrated • Examples of enhanced /integration of EE in the curriculum: • - Science and health • *soil water air pollution, disposal of waste materials • *coral reefs • *components of ecosystem • - Sibika at Kultura • - Hekasi • - Edukasyong Pagpapakatao • - Edukasyong Pantahanan at Pangkabuhayan

12. USEC Antonio Inocentes of DEPED • Issues and concerns/ Gaps: • Funding support • Development and reproduction of learning materials – making these more appropriate • Enhancement of trainings on environmental education • Sustainability of programs projects and actions

13. USEC Antonio Inocentes of DEPED • Commitments • Continuous partnership with agencies and institutions in promoting and developing environmentally literate citizens • Better appreciation of the environment through creative projects with economic potentials • Implementation of and enhanced work education curriculum: a creativity and productivity project • Monitoring and provision of technical assistance

14. Dr. Regina Cura of CHED • Present Initiatives • Environmental Courses : BS Ecotourism, Environmental hygiene, • MS E Science, Env. Engineering, Environmental studies • Proposed action • Development of teacher’s guidebook on EE • Establish linkages with other agencies • Integrate EE in the curricula of public/private schools • EE and awareness program in National Service Training Program • Month of November- Envt Awareness Month • Capacity building • Trainings, seminars, production of environmental education materials

15. Mr. Pastor Giao and Mr. Valerio Rola of TESDA • Audio-visual presentation: Ating Mundo • Environmental Education Awareness Programs and Initiatives: • -Provide relevant inputs in the code of practice for refrigeration and air conditioning • -Training of automotive trainors in TESDA • Technology Institutions nationwide on the conversion of gas-fed to LPG fed motor vehicles • Training for technicians: refrigerants, ozone depleting substances, recovery, recycling. • Distribute learning materials on the recovery recycling and retro-fitting • TESDA agricultural schools distribute fruit-bearing trees to rural communities

16. Exec. Dir. Marivel Sacendoncillo of LGA • Orientation programs for elected officials – solid waste, land use • Urban environmental management – focus on adaptation and mitigation of climate change effects • Enhanced partnerships with funding institutions • Data base on best practices, e.g., “husay balangay” • Creation of techno transfer facilities • Training courses • - Integrated Coastal Environment Program for communities • -water and sanitation planning • - solid waste mgt., transport mgt, climate change

17. Exec. Dir. Marivel Sacendoncillo of LGA Challenges -lack of EE programs for communities -integrate climate change issues in local government plans and decisions -fund support for environment project -design programs on transport, renewable energy -strong implementation of environmental laws

18. Engr. Jesus Reyes PCCI • Initiatives • Factory visits for students and other visitors • Orientation for employees re environmental impacts of their work/company • Public awareness campaigns – commercials • Exhibits on good industry practices • Other projects: • Texas Instruments Eco park, Auto park, Bayer Young Environment Envoys, San Cristobal River Rehab, SM Prime Holdings – “trash to cash” recycling market, Shell solid waste management, Central Azucarera, Coca Cola mission pet, Project Water Educ. for Teachers, • Companies are encouraged to adopt the concept that “Environment makes good business sense.”

19. Engr. Jesus Reyes PCCI • Gaps and Challenges • Role of employees in environmental protection • Reduce amount of wastage • Constraints on resources to do outreach initiatives • Water stewardship project, protection and use of water resources by the industries, proper waste water disposal • Reduce, reuse, recycle, replicate, replenish

20. Ms. Elizabeth Roxas of the Civil Society Sector • Presentation of the sustainable development MTV (with English and Tagalog versions) • Environment is where people can easily relate to • SD education is a big challenge • Some Initiatives related to EE • Community organizing, institution building, • Alternative education • Networking and linkaging • Profiling • Participation on local governance • Electoral and policy reform • Multi-stakeholder partnerships

21. Ms. Elizabeth Roxas of the Civil Society Sector • The Civil Society offers • Indigenous knowledge and practices • Linkages • Immersions • Modeling • Best practices • Case studies and piloting • As EE initiatives are pursued • No competition and duplication, but cooperation among the actors • Reactivate PCSD • Holistic approach to SD, only if we know • Challenges: What needs to be done? • Determine level of awareness of target audience • Rate our EE for SD • SMCR check – are we sending the right message? Are we accessible to our target audience? Are we equipped technically? • Resource mobilization

22. Ms. Portia Palma of PIA • Government media available for use • Communication support assistance • Creative and production division –print, broadcast • BBS Bureau of Broadcasting Services, Radio Stations, • Business radio, Radio Pilipinas • NBN 4 • RPN 9 • IBC 13 • PNA – newswire connected locally and in some parts of Asia and the world • Gap • No specific program catering to environment • PIA offers • Tama, Wasto at napapanahong impormasyon, Sagot sa Banta ng Kalikasan….

23. Dr. Merle Tan of UP on M & E system of the roadmap of RA 9512 M&E is important for better decision making. MONITORING--- tracking the progress to know where the project is, e.g., in terms of methodology, resources, etc. EVALUATION --- assessment of outcomes or impacts of an ongoing project or completed activity. Evaluator should not be the same planner/implementer

24. Dr. Merle Tan of UP on M & E system of the roadmap of RA 9512 • DESD and NEEAP will be judged based on: • Degree in changes in attitudes and behaviors of individuals and communities • Changing patterns of development towards sustainable models and improvement in the quality of life • Performance indicators • Useful for managers and decision-makers • Direct/valid, objective, practical, adequate • Sample indicators for monitoring and evaluation were presented comprehensively for curriculum, institutional development, materials development, training, IEC and social advocacy programs

25. OPEN FORUM

26. ISSUES AND CONCERNS RAISED • Monitoring of DepEd on EE in different schools • Regional desk can help in providing interested parties with information on DepEd’s EE efforts • Professional recognition of environmental engineering and graduates of other environmental courses by government and private employers • Accreditation system of the CSC regarding training for LGUs has been withdrawn since 2005 and reviving efforts should be market driven • Research on audience’s media preference for technology transfer is limited • Need to increase ENRO positions and review of the previous devolution of ENROs • Inclusion EE subject in the curriculum not just as an elective in the tertiary level

27. ISSUES AND CONCERNS RAISED • Training for jeepney and tricycle mechanics • Management of chemical and other hazardous wastes in school laboratories • Possible incentives for the business sector who are into EE initiatives • Limited number of some educational materials often do not reach schools in far-flung areas • Encourage SCUs to submit to the DENR Library a copy of students’ theses/dissertations related to EE • Updated masterlist of advocacy materials • Need for free airtime on tv and radio • Importance of having common terms and definitions and benchmarks for M&E

28. Partnership Workshops • 7 workshop groups • Basic Education & Youth • Technical, vocational & Tertiary Education • Local Government & Field Operations • Civil Society • Business Sector • Media • National Governments

29. Positive Notes and Way Forward • Big or small, varying goals and objectives; but all have EE and EE-related activities • Gaps here and there; but the room for cooperation and sharing of resources (technical expertise, facilities, manpower, etc.) is big; all are open for linkaging and partnership • Concern for NATO; but all agree to just put acts together. Need for a central body to serve as hub in coordinating EE activities • While others are silent; but all expressed commitments to engage, in one way or another, in furthering EE activities • Availability of funds/budget is a problem; but with linkaging, partnership, and sharing of resources, this could be addressed

30. Positive Notes and Way Forward • NEDA to be part of Inter Agency Committee on EE. Incorporate the NEEAP commitments and action plan in the MTDP • Communication Plan for the NEEAP; all partners need to speak the same language; same theme • Thematic or sectoral approach in implementing the roadmap; but must be integrated (gov’t sector, industry/private sector, civil society, etc.) • Mainstreaming, upscaling, partnering must be institutionalized • Fund for NEEAP to be incorporated in the GAA • SPIRIT IS HIGH AND NEED TO KEEP THE MOMENTUM GOING

31. dancing singing PARTNERS’ NIGHT dancing singing

32. Thank you!!!