Three-hundred Davao City high school and college and university students joined the 13th Eco Camp held from April 5 to 7 at Malagos Park. This activity themed “Lead, Emerge Advocate! Dynamic Eco-leaders Ready to Stand (LEADERS) for Environmental Concern” was sponsored by the Davao City Water District in coordination with the Watershed Management Youth Council (WMYC) and the Watershed and Environmental Protection Coalition in Davao (WEPCD).
Speakers from different agencies were invited to enrich the knowledge of the youth participants and inspire them to become leaders in their own right and advocates of environmental protection.
WEPCD president Dominador A. Lopez shared the importance of the role of the youth in nation building while Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Forestry Resources Management Division chief Alfredo B. Zarasate inducted the new set of WMYC officers for the year 2013 – 2014 and traced the proud history of WMYC as a youth group which actively advocates environmental protection. Chinkie T. Peliño of Interface Development Interventions facilitated the observations and realizations of the participants during their eco tour vis a vis the status quo of the environment and DCWD’s community relations officer Ellanena J. Gabuya discussed DCWD’s experience in watershed rehabilitation to inspire the youth to contribute whatever they could to protect the water and water sources of Davao City. The campers also discovered the wonders and beauty of the Malagos watershed through an immersion / tree planting activity where they planted 150 forest trees in the watershed conservation area under the care of DCWD.
Kicking off the leadership skills development is the Lead-a-lympics where camp participants braved the physical and mental challenges that were set for them. These challenges did not only test and hone their skills as leaders but as well as their being team players. Sharing inspirational messages that the campers could emulate were Daniel J. Mediante on the role of the youth; Jono G. Jovita on spiritual leadership; Vina O. Cagampang on honest assessment contemplation; Engr. Ramel T. Paragas on solidarity; Rogar R. Garcia on idea, inspiration and imagination; Edjan S. Parreño on true and lasting standards or investments, Love Joy C. Mabano on responsible stewardship and Robert John U. Ajing on confidence in times of crisis.
Co-sponsors who also helped make the event a success included the office of Councilor Marissa Abella, Philippine Eagle Foundation, RDL Pharmaceutical Laboratory, Vitarich Corporation, Alson Inc., Paredes Family, Taipan Restaurant, Nanay Bebeng’s Restaurant, Naty’s Lechon, Iluminada Farms and WMYC alumni. [Jovana T. Duhaylungsod]
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