Dagupan school vies for PH’s best eco-friendly school

The Malued Elementary School in Dagupan with Jane Cajayon as principal earned the right to represent Region 1 in the national search when it was recently adjudged champion in the regional search for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools. (Photo: Malued Elem. School/Facebook)

DAGUPAN CITY –- For using recycled materials as decors in every classroom as well as in its gardens, an elementary school in Dagupan will represent the Ilocos region in the 2017 national search for the Best Sustainable and Eco-Friendly School.

The Malued Elementary School in Dagupan with Jane Cajayon as principal earned the right to represent Region 1 in the national search when it was recently adjudged champion in the regional search for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools.

The search organized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environment Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) along with the Department of Education (DepEd) aims to encourage schools to become more actively involved in environmental issues at a practical and local level as well as recognize academic institutions with the best eco-friendly programs and activities.

It is a direct response to the National Environmental Awareness and Education Act of 2008 and the country’s initiative to the ASEAN Environmental Education Action Plan for Sustainable Development from ‎2014-2018.

Cajayon said evaluators from the DepEd Central Office and the DENR came to evaluate the school on October 10 as the region’s contender to the national search.

Results will be out during the National Environmental Awareness Month and National Clean Air Month celebrations in November.

Among the winning eco-friendly works of the Malued Elementary School are the mini-mouse plastic containers in its garden made of recycled mineral water bottles and colorful plant pots.

The pupils’ participation in making the school eco-friendly was also taken as part of the evaluation.

Mayor Belen T. Fernandez congratulated the teachers and the pupils of the school especially to Ms. Cajayon for qualifying in the national search.

She also lauded members of the barangay council headed by Barangay Chairwoman Filipinas Delos Santos who actively extended help to keep the school eco-friendly.