Smart WWF launch ”Project connect”

By LS Macatangay

Smart Communications, Inc., in cooperation with World Wide Fund for Nature Philippines (WWF-Philippines), spearheaded the launching of an advocacy program on environment, dubbed “Project Connect: Linking Environment, Education and Technology”, was held at Camarines Sur National High School Pavillon on Tuesday, Dec. 2.

Marieson Dychinco-Regondola, SMART Communications’ Community Care/area manager for Bicol, said that the event is geared towards raising the awareness of its stakeholders in better understanding of our role as caretakers of our environment.

“With Climate change’s negative effects taking their toll in our environment, there is no opportune time to start saving it but now, and starting it off with the school and our students is one surefire way to keep the ball of change rolling. This is also part of our own environment advocacy for schools in line with our corporate social responsibility thru our community service program, Kabalikat sa Kalikasan.”

The event was also in recognition of Camarines Sur National High School (CSNHS) as one of the lucky recipients of the 2009 National Search for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools pursuant to Republic Act 9512 or commonly known as an Act to Promote Environmental Awareness thru Environmental Education.

The law requires all public and private schools to integrate environmental education in their curricula.

CSNHS was among the three (3) pilot sites in the Philippines, where SMART chose to implement Project Connect. The other two schools were the Palawan State University in Puerto Princesa, Palawan where the first leg was held and Peñablanca East Central School in Tuguegarao.

In full support of this endeavor are the Department of Education (DepEd),the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) thru the Environment Management Bureau (EMB).

Regondola believes that highlighting the school’s programs will serve as an inspiration for the kids and the students to implement the same in their own homes.

“The teachers, being looked up also by these students as their second parents, could serve as their role model in safeguarding the wealth of our environment.”

The activity is being observed yearly in the observance of the National Clean Air Month and the National Environment Awareness Month held every month of November.