BUTUAN CITY, Philippines — The convergence of all concerned government agencies and other stakeholders met over the weekend here to strengthen environmental awareness and education campaign in an effort to mitigate global warming and climate change.

In a meeting, top regional officials led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) agreed to have regular coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), in an objective to discuss other relevant issues in the formulation of other strategies and action plan.

The regional officials formed different committees to properly address issues and concerns pertaining to global warming and climate change.

Their over-all task is to implement the integration of environmental education in all school curricula whether public or private, including barangay daycare, preschool, non-formal, technical vocational, professional level, indigenous learning and out-of-school youth courses or programs and shall develop school curriculum, educational materials, training programs and IEC and advocacy schemes.

The different committees were also committed to do the following: 1) DENR, as lead agency shall periodically inform all agencies concerned on current environmental updates, including identifying priority environmental issues for national action; 2) Member-agencies are to provide strategic advice on environmental education activities; 3) Adopt a collaborative interagency and multi-sectoral effort in all levels in implementing public education and awareness programs on environmental protection and conservation; and 4) Organize a Secretariat to assist in administrative matters pertaining to the performance of its functions.

Region Xlll DENR Regional Executive Director Leonardo R. Sibbaluca and Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Caraga Regional Director Ester Olavides appealed to all committee members to submit regular reports on the status of the integration and implementation of environmental awareness programs to the Secretary. The Regional Committee shall likewise submit a regular report to the Chairperson of the National Environmental Education Committee.

With these developments, the DENR is optimistic that with unity among agencies and partner stakeholders in this campaign, the aim to save the environment will be achieved.

During the environmental committee meeting held at the DENR-Caraga Regional Conference Room, officials of the DENR also proposed several activities and some of these is the full support to the National Greening Program (NGP) of President Benigno S. Aquino lll and the ‘Adopt an Estero/River/Creek’ program.

The ‘Adopt Estero’ Program will be launched on November 18, 2011 at the Masao River, Butuan City wherein government agencies, partner stakeholders and community will be cleaning and planting in the area.

Aside from the ‘Adopt Estero’ program, DENR and EMB will continuously lead the provision of planting materials/seedlings to partner stakeholders who are planning to conduct massive tree planting in the coming months.

It was learned that pursuant to the policy set forth in R.A. 9512, the month of November of every year shall be known as the “Environmental Awareness Month” throughout the country.

With the upcoming celebration of the Environmental Awareness Month, the committee aimed to promote environmental awareness to the community by coordinating with other government agencies and partner stakeholders, and initiating activities that will unite the public and work as one in the goal to maintain the cleanliness of the environment, it was also learned.