LECTURES on the environment were conducted by the Strategic Communication and Initiative Services (SCIS) and the Regional Public Affairs Office (RPAO) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in a bid to use education as a tool to promote environmental protection and in support of the ongoing Manila Bay cleanup.

The Pampanga lectures were held in Maniango Elementary School in Minalin town, Caduang Tete Elementary School in Macabebe town and Nuestra Señora Del Pilar Integrated School in the City of San Fernando.

Some 200 Grades 5 and 6 students were part of the lectures.

The DENR, in a statement, said that topics on natural resources conservation, Manila Bay cleanup, ecological solid waste management and protection of river systems were discussed in the lecture series, including film showing on the impacts of plastic to the environment.

“A total of 28 environmental education lectures were already conducted by the DENR benefiting well over 2,000 elementary students from various public elementary schools in Bulacan, Bataan, and Aurora, since January of this year,” the DENR said.

DENR’s chief of public affairs Donaver Guevarra said that education is the key to mobilize the public especially the young generation towards greater protection and conservation of the environment.

“We admit in the DENR that we cannot protect the environment alone. And we need allies and partners like the students to make it happen," he explained.

He said educating the youth to make smarter decisions regarding eco-friendly practices is crucial to accomplish the goal of rehabilitating Manila Bay.

"Even elementary students play an important role in the protection of the environment. Their collective action and support to our environmental programs is vital to sustain our gains in environmental restoration," he explained.

He said through environmental education that an individual starts to understand the importance of the environment, and the impacts of human activities on nature, which can lead to action.

It may be recalled that on January 27 of this year, the DENR launched the massive cleanup and rehabilitation of Manila Bay.

The DENR said that Manila Bay covers the region of Calabarzon, National Capital Region (NCR) and Central Luzon. It has a total of 190 kilometers stretch of coastline. Of these, 144 kilometers are part of Central Luzon, covering the provinces of Bulacan, Pampanga and Bataan.