Monday, August 11, 2008 Mendoza: DepEd responds to threats of climate change By Lorenzo E. Mendoza The Scribe's Corner
DIRECTOR's Cut: (This portion features the thoughts of Deped Region 11 regional director Susana Teresa B. Estigoy to all stakeholders and recipients of the efforts to improve the basic education) "We have to continually examine what succeeds and fails, and why. We have to uphold and live true to our battlecry: Ituloy ang Karunungan, Labanan ang Kahirapan!"
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Deped Order No. 33, s. 2008 has emphasized Deped's strong advocacy to respond to the threats of climate change and global warming through massive, intensive and sustained tree-planting, tree-growing and tree-caring program.
Deped Secretary Jesli A. Lapus noted that our country is easily vulnerable to the impact of climate change and global warming given our tropical climate, topography and geographic location, population density, socio-economic conditions and other factors.
With global rise in temperatures posing drastic changes in our climate, our country becomes more susceptible from its impacts ranging from weather disturbances, flash floods, drought, changes in species migration, feeding patterns, increase in illnesses, and many more serious consequences. To be sure, climate change and global warming are not just environmental issues but they have severe socio-economic implications.
Aside from the traditional tree planting activities done by graduating students, tree-growing and tree caring are added to sustain the efforts in responding to the global challenge to combat climate change and global warming.
Lapus added that trees serve as the lungs of the planet. Trees help reduce global warming by sequestering million tons of carbon per year. Trees also provide cooling shade, block cold winds, attract birds and wildlife, purify our air, prevent soil erosion, clean our water and add grace and beauty to our schools.
In view of the above, all public and private elementary and secondary schools are directed by the Secretary to conduct planting/growing/caring of trees in the schools and within the community and establish mini forests, establish plant nurseries, plant endemic/native species of Narra, Molave, Philippine Teak, Acacia, Kamagong, Lawaan and fruit bearing trees, provide signages to outside school area indicating that the trees are adopted and maintained by the school and other stakeholders, intensify awareness campaign to create urgency through for a, symposia and seminars, involve youth-led organizations and establish linkages with other national line agencies, LGU's, barangay officials, NGO's, GO's and PO's for advice, support, supply of seedlings and saplings and to identify and intensify existing environmental programs.
The Office of the Regional Director headed by RD Susana Teresa B. Estigoy and the ten superintendents of the region have expressed their commitment to implement and actively ask support for the program.
Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (Penro) Head of Davao del Norte, Mr. Felix Abangin expressed his strong desire to tie up with Deped in order to create a groundswell of support from the very organization that is considered as the largest government entity in terms of number which is a welcome development considering that the thrust of his Office coincides with this Order of the Secretary.
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Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario, Ayala Foundation, Inc. Center for Social Development and Gearing Up Internet Literacy and Access for Students (Gilas) Project Director Mario Deriquito and Davao del Norte Schools Division Superintendent Aurora P. Cubero recently signed the Memorandum of Agreement for the implementation of the Gilas Project that would provide free internet connections to public schools in the province.
With Globe as its internet provider, Gilas and the Province of Davao del Norte will earmark a combined financial resources of Php 9.1 million. Gilas will provide the 34 public high schools in the Division with server, local area network (LAN) peripherals, printers and one-year free internet subscription to the beneficiary schools. The provincial government will provide computers and pole towered wireless internet facility to the recipient schools.
The governor has put high premium on education by including the sector under his RDR Wheels development agenda.
"We want our students to gain leverage and to utilize the power of the computer and the internet in improving their academic performance," the Governor said.
The Governor also assured Deped that the provincial government will continue to assist in the implementation of the project, particularly in terms of teachers' training, technical assistance and in the maintenance and sustainability of the project after the lapse of the one-year free internet connection.
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The Philippines Australia Human Resource Development Facility (PAHRDF) through Director Melalin Javellana informed me through e-mail that I have been selected as a candidate for interview for an Australian Leadership Award Scholarship (Alas) in 2009.
The next step for me to do is to take part in a 30-minute panel interview to be held at the Australian Embassy in Makati City at 4:35PM on 15 August 2008. I was also informed by Director Javellana that PAHRDF will shoulder my roundtrip plane ticket and a two-night accommodation at El Cielito Inn, Makati. To the PAHRDF, my heartfelt thanks for my chance to be interviewed and I am hoping for the best.
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You can access Deped Updates, latest issuances and other relevant information through our website: http://www.region11.deped.gov.ph. For comments, suggestions and/or contributions, email me at renzthescribe@yahoo.com. or visit http://renzmendoza.multiply.com. for photos and other relevant information. For queries, complains and other concerns, call Deped Region 11 at (082) 227-9342 or fax to (082) 227-1102.
