DENR News Release

Search for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools continues

Legazpi City—The DENR-Environmental Management Bureau V invites schools and universities in Bicol to join as the 2011 Regional Search for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools continues.

The contest is open to academic institutions in the elementary, secondary and tertiary levels and aims to encourage academic institutions to become more actively involved in environmental issues at practical and local levels. Furthermore, the contest aims to develop skills and understanding in initiating active responses and increasing community awareness and participation on environmental concerns among students, faculty and school administrators. With the search, environmental initiatives and other multi-faceted programs of the schools are also recognized.

The participating schools will be selected based on the following criteria: Environment-related aspects of the school’s policy (20 points), Environmental dimensions of school operations (30 points), Environmental-related features of the school curriculum (30 points), Presence of vibrant eco-organizations in campus (10 points), and Presence of environmental partners and linkages in various programs/projects (10 points).

Interested schools may submit their official contest entry forms and supporting documents in both printed and digital copies on or before April 29, 2011. Schools in the elementary and high school categories must submit their entries to the Department of Education (DepEd) Division Office while schools in the college category may submit their entries directly to the EMB Regional Office.

One school will be selected as regional finalist. Each finalist will be awarded a Certificate of Recognition as well as a prize of P10,000 in cheque. The finalists will also compete in the National Search which will be held in Manila.

The Search for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools is a partnership program among the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) through the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), DepEd, Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and SMART Communications Inc. The said agencies will also handle the screening and actual assessment  of the participating schools.

For inquiries, kindly visit the EMB V Regional Office at the Regional Center Site, Rawis, Legazpi City, or call (052) 482-0197 or visit our website www.sustainableschools.ph. (DENR/PIA)