LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – As the main arm of the government in youth empowerment and to address their priority focus area which is environmental awareness and involvement, the SK Federation of La Trinidad headed by its president Apolinario A. Bagano Jr. slated a one day seminar-orientation on Environmental Laws for Youth Leaders at the La Trinidad Municipal hall last September 29.
84 participants from the different barangays of La Trinidad attended the said orientation seminar. Participants are from Balili, Bahong, Betag, Wangal, Baguio and Beckel with the most number of participants as represented by the student leaders of Eastern La Trinidad National High School (ELTNHS).
During the orientation, Mayor Romeo Salda emphasized in his speech the important roles of the youth in protecting the environment. He said that the youth should be the catalyst of change in keeping the environment because we and our future family will be the one to accept or experience the outcome of what we do today.
On similar way, Esther Aguilar of EMB and one of the resource speakers reiterates to the youth leaders that change should start in one’s self, for you can’t change something or others if you can’t change yourself.
Among the environmental laws that were given emphasis includes RA9512 (Environmental Education Challenges and Way Forward), RA9729 (Climate Change Act of 2009), RA 9003(Solid Waste Management and Challenges), RA6969 (Toxic Substances and Hazardous Nuclear Waste Control Act of 1990), RA9275 (The Philippine Clean Water Act), and RA8749 (The Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999).
“We should understand that the problem in managing our solid waste is not a political problem that has to be addressed both by the government and the citizens,” said Dwight Daodao, Designate PEMU-Benguet, Senior EMS, EMB CAR.
During the closing program, May Claire S. Luminang, Information Officer II, EMB CAR, challenge the Youth leaders to think of new ideas to contribute in helping the environment and not just focusing on pageants.
“We are so lucky that we were able to attend in this seminar-orientation on environmental laws because we were enlightened on the different laws. In return, we pledge to make and implement projects that will protect our environment. In doing so, as the SSG President of ELTNHS, I will devise a development plan for a safe and healthy school environment because I believe that students can acquire learning in a comfortable and safe environment,” said Dick B. Bumacas Jr. BY CLARITA EMILIO EDDIO
