DENR, Smart cite most eco-friendly schools

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) through the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) recently named the country’s “greenest” and most sustainable schools in its 4th National Search for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools (NSSES).
The nationwide competition, launched in partnership with the Department of Education and Commission on Higher Education and private institutions, including wireless leader Smart Communications (Smart), was designed to help develop the skills and understanding among students, faculty and school administrators in initiating active responses and increasing community awareness and involvement on environmental concerns.
“The NSSES is a level up from environmental awareness. The competition pushes the schools to develop programs and create practices in their schools and communities that can actually help reduce carbon footprint and change people’s behavior towards the environment,” said Ramon Isberto, head of Smart Public Affairs. “This is why we are very happy to support the NSSES of DENR,” Isberto added.
A staunch advocate for the environment, Smart has been supportive of initiatives that promote conservation and protection of the planet. The company has been a partner since 2009 when NSSES was first launched.
The nationwide tilt, done every other year since 2009, is being implemented in accordance with Republic Act No. 9512, otherwise known as the National Environmental Awareness and Education Act of 2008.
This year, the winners in the elementary school category are Divisoria Elementary School in Santiago City, Isabela (1st place); Ara-al Elementary School in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental (2nd place); and Bonuan Boquig Elementary School in Dagupan City, Pangasinan (3rd place).
The top three in the high school category are Bintawan National High School in Villaverde, Nueva Ecija; Baguio City National High School in Baguio City, Benguet; and Sumoroy Agro-Industrial School in Palapag, Northern Samar.
In the college category, Foundation University in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental landed on the 1st place. St. Paul University in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental; and University of La Salette in Santiago City, Isabela both secured the 2nd place spot while Central Bicol State University in Pili, Camarines Sur finished third.
The winners of the national search are automatically sent as entries to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for the ASEAN Eco-Schools Awards, which is part of the ASEAN Eco-Schools Program that aims to create a school culture geared toward environmental protection and preservation through management, commitment and infusion into curriculum, co-curriculum and greening activities.
To know more, visit www.sustainableschools.ph.