Santa Marcela LGU involves young learners to combat garbage; boosts IEC campaign on Solid Waste Management

Santa Marcela, Apayao- The Local Government of Santa Marcela led by Mayor Evelyn B. Martinez through the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) held a comprehensive Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaign on Solid Waste Management among learners across all elementary, secondary, and Alternative Learning System (ALS) schools in the municipality.

The Mayor, in an interview said, the young learners are important part of the fight against garbage and pollution as they can either contribute to the solution or the problem, noting the huge number of young people in town making up over 1/3 of the municipality’s population.

The initiative was designed to instill a sense of responsibility among the youth, molding them to become environmental stewards and teaching them the ins and outs of waste management.

Students during the IEC learned to differentiate waste types, implement effective segregation techniques, use color- coded systems, and understand the importance of complying with Republic Act 9003, which prohibits littering and waste burning while promoting responsible disposal methods.

The IEC campaign also delved into the broader impact of waste management on the environment and public health. Students were taught about the dangers of pollution, the health risks associated with improper disposal, and the overall degradation of ecosystems.

High schoolers benfitted from a crash course on climate change, discovering how their small actions, like sorting recyclables properly can contribute to global solutions.

In a statement, Mayor Martinez underlined that the success of the said campaigns lies on the active participation of both teachers and students, who are sharing ideas and demonstrating a genuine commitment to putting their newfound knowledge into practice.

(MENRO) designate Mr. Benjamin D. Vega also emphasized that cultivating these habits are key to securing a sustainable future for Santa Marcela town.