THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the City of San Fernando conducted recently massive information, education and communication (IEC) campaign in four provinces in Central Luzon.
The move was done in a bid to raise public awareness and knowledge on some important pressing environmental issues, and solicit support on the protection and conservation of the environment.
Donaver Guevarra, chief of the regional public affairs office (RPAO), said the environmental education lecture series were conducted in 15 barangays in Mariveles town and Balanga City in Bataan; Capas and Bamban towns in Tarlac; Masinloc town in Zambales; and Sasmuan town in Pampanga, benefiting well over 400 barangay officials and health workers, including members of people's organization.
"Providing the public as well as the leaders of our local government with the right information and educating them on the value and importance of our environment especially our rivers and mangrove ecosystems including environmental laws are important ways we can help save our environment," he said.
He said caring for the environment starts from understanding, and the local government is at the forefront of keeping a balance and sustainable ecosystem to make a community protected and resilient against disaster and calamity.
The environmental topics that have been discussed during the lecture series include the protection of mangrove, tips to be plastic free, ecological solid waste management, importance of river system, and the Manila Bay cleanup and rehabilitation.
"Solid waste management remains to be a critical concern in keeping our environment on a good and sustainable condition. Given this, educating the people on proper garbage disposal must be prioritized to keep our environment safe and clean," Guevarra noted.
Despite the pandemic, he said the DENR has continued to go on grounds and conduct small-group discussions in barangays adjacent to river systems and mangrove plantations.
This year, the DENR in the City of San Fernando has already conducted 29 environmental education lectures using a blended approach of online platforms and limited face-to-face interaction participated in by more than 1,000 residents of Central Luzon.