YES-O CAMP impacts youth awareness on environmental issues

Are you a nature lover? Are you the One? Do we know what is happening in our environment nowadays?

Most of us are familiar with these lines especially when we suffer from different calamities or fortuitous events that come along our way. Sometimes we neglect our duties and responsibilities for our beloved nature which often result in catastrophes that affect so many people. This only shows that whatever we do in our environment affects our lives as one community.

In this context, the Division of San Juan City held its first YES-O Camp last 6-7 September 2019 at the vicinity of Pinaglabanan Elementary School with the aim to intensify environmental awareness among the youth of the city. This is just a start of a long and arduous journey of relevant and liberating education from which we expect good things to come.

After series of consultations and meetings to make this CAMP a memorable one, we came -up with the theme, “Love the Nature So We Can Have a Better Future.” The energetic and responsible Division Youth Formation Coordinator, Mr.Christian R.Talaboc, initiated this activity as part of his development agenda.

The 2-day activity was attended by the YES O Schools Coordinators and 120 pupils in different schools in the Division of San Juan City. Because of the passion and commitment of teachers led by the YES O Division Coordinator Mr.Christian Talaboc, it became a successful event despite the limited resources and other budgetary constraints this year.

However, participation to this event is on a voluntary basis pursuant to the DepEd Order No.20 2006 entitled Guidelines in the Voluntary Collection of Fees from Students Public Elementary and Secondary Schools. It is anchored on the implementation of Republic Act No 9512 (Environmental Awareness and Education Act of 2008). YES-O CAMP is one of the mandated projects, programs and activities of Youth for Environment in Schools Organization.

This 2- day activity had the following objectives:

Familiarize participants with the mandated programs, projects and activities pertinent with the Youth for Environment in Schools and which will be integrated with our Science Curriculum;
Learn how to sustain the environment through initiatives to do actions;
Instill environmental values to every learner to be involved in worthwhile and doable projects /activities for the environment; and
Train young leaders on the aspect of Leadership, Management, Teamwork and Volunteerism.

Interestingly, this is one of the DepEd’s accredited Organization in the Youth for Environment and Schools Organization with the mission to preserve and conserve our natural resources through environmental awareness of the community resulting in their active involvement on environmentally related issues. It is endeavored to achieve sustainable development and to protect mother nature with a vision to have a Youth for Environment Schools Organization linked with the agencies or institutions for conservation and preservations of natural resources towards sustainable development.

Pursuant to this promising mission and vision, DepEd San Juan City has already been implementing and adhering to numerous means and methods to improve the quality of education in the Division of San Juan City with particular emphasis on relevant environmental education.

Surely, more YES O CAMP await the young San Juanenos. “Passion, determination, teamwork, and trust with one another.”

KUDOS to everyone and MABUHAY tayong lahat sa pagtindig para sa Inang Kalikasan!

These are some photos that were captured during the two-day event: