Environmental Situationer, DENRs

Environmental Education Initiatives

and the Challenges Under Republic
Act No. 9512 (Environmental
Awareness and Education Law)
Undersecretary Teresita Samson-Castillo
Undersecretary for Special Concerns

Department of Environment and Natural Resources
The State of Environment
One of 17 mega-diverse countries in the
world
Containing two-thirds of the earths biodiversity
70-80% of the worlds endangered species
The State of Environment
4
th
in the World in bird endemism
5
th
in the World in mammal endemism
5
th
in the World in number of plant species
8
th
in the World in reptile endemism
The State of Environment
The State of Environment
Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National
Park
Mayon Volcano
Candidates for
the
NEW 7
WONDERS OF
THE WORLD
Chocolate Hills Tubbataha Reef
The State of Environment
Verde Island Passage Marine Corridor
Center of the center of marine shorefish diversity
in the world
(Sulu-Sulawesi Marine Ecoregion)
The State of Environment
The State of Environment
VAST MINERAL RESOURCES
Mineral Land Distribution
(As % of Total Philippine Land Area)
30% or 9 Million
Hectares
High-Potential
Low-Medium Potential
70%
Only 1.4% being
exploited
Land Area: 30 million Hectares
The State of Environment
The State of Environment
Philippine Water Resources
Water Supply = 146.0 Bcu.m
Water Consumption = 40.9 Bcu.m
Consumption Ratio = 28.0%
The State of Environment
One of the hottest hot spots in
habitat destruction
The State of Environment
The State of Environment
Massive loss of forest cover now down to
only about 18% of our total land area
Only about 800,000 hectares of virgin
forest left
The State of Environment
Threatened and endangered species (increasing in
about 9.7% annually)
Only 5% of our coral reefs remain in excellent condition
30-50% of our seagrass beds were lost in the last 50
years
Only 112,400 hectares of mangroves left (decline from
450,000 ha in 1918 to less than 120,000 in 1995)
The Scenario
The State of Environment
The degradation of coastal and marine ecosystem
has affected fish production
Catch per municipal fisherman significantly went
down from about 1500 kg per year in 1987 to about
1100 kg per year in 1996
The Scenario
The Scenario
Groundwater levels going down by 5-10 meters for
the last several decades that led to saline intrusion
and ground subsidence
Sixteen major rivers, five in Metro Manila, are
biologically-dead during summer months due to
pollution
48% of water pollution is caused by household
waste, compounded by the lack of an adequate
sewerage system
The State of Environment
TSP levels above the standards by as much as
200%
adverse health impacts

The Scenario
The Scenario
In 2000, 76M Filipinos generated over 10
million tons of municipal solid wastes.
In 2007, waste projection is at 12.45 million
tons.
On 2012, waste projection is pegged at 14
million tons (13.83 million tons to be exact)
Global catastrophes are happening
And will continue to happen

United Nations Decade of Education for
Sustainable Development (2005-2014)

Vision
A world where everyone has the opportunity
to benefit from education and learn the
values, behaviours, and lifestyles required for
a sustainable future and for positive societal
transformation.
Photo Credit: UNESCO ESD
Decade of Education for Sustainable
Development (DESD)
Objectives
Facilitate networking, linkages, exchange, and
interaction among stakeholders in ESD
Foster an increased quality of teaching and
learning in Education for Sustainable
Development
Help countries make progress toward and attain
the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
through ESD efforts
Provide countries with new opportunities to
incorporate ESD into education reform efforts

What is Education for Sustainable Development?
ESD uses a partnership approach that
engages multiple sectors and stakeholders
including media and the private sector and
utilises all forms and methods of public
awareness-raising, education, and training to
promote an appreciation for, even a
welcoming of, sustainable development.


Photo Credit: dhss.mo.gov
The ASEAN Environmental
Education Action Plan (2008-2012)
Theme:
Environmental Education for Sustainable
Development

Aim:
Accelerate EE as a key integrating component
for achieving SD in the ASEAN member
countries.
The AEEAP Mission Statement
The ASEAN member-countries, envision a clean
and green ASEAN, rich in cultural traditions
(where the values and practices of the people are
in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature)
with citizens who are environmentally literate,
imbued with environmental ethic, willing and
capable to ensure the sustainable development of
the region, through EE and public participation
efforts.
National Environmental Education
Action Plan (NEEAP)
Philippine initiative to the United Nations
Decade of Education for Sustainable
Development (2005-2014) and the ASEAN
Environmental Education Action Plan

The aim is to pursue education to foster the
transition to a sustainable society.
Photo Credit: jooc.com
Vision

An environmentally literate and proactive citizenry
imbued with a sense of responsibility to care,
protect and enhance environmental quality that is
conducive to their well being and supportive of the
nations economic development and unified in its
pursuit of peace, social justice and equity in the
use of natural resources.

National Environmental Education Action Plan
for Sustainable Development (2005-2014)

National Environmental Education Action Plan
for Sustainable Development (2005-2014)

Mission

- To improve the institutional systems, making
them more relevant towards delivery of
environmental education to all segments of
society.
- To mobilize resources and encourage more
private/public investments and partnerships in
supporting programs for environmental
education.
National Environmental Education Action Plan
for Sustainable Development (2005-2014)

Mission

- To establish a critical mass of committed
environmental educators and practitioners who
will spearhead the environmental education
movement.
- To promote environmental ethics which will
instill the right values and attitudes as a way of
life among the Filipinos.
The Major Recent Milestones
in Environmental Education
United Nations Decade of Education for
Sustainable Development (2005-2014)
ASEAN Environmental Education Action
Plan (2008-2012)
National Environmental Education Action
Plan (2005-2014)
Republic Act 9512 (An Act to Promote
Environmental Awareness through
Environmental Education)
2008
Environmental Education

Rationale
mmmmm
R.A. 9512: "Environmental Awareness
and Education Act of 2008"
The state shall promote national awareness on the
role of natural resources in economic growth and the
importance of environmental conservation and
ecological balance towards sustained national
development.
Environmental Education

Rationale
mmmmm
R.A. 9512: "Environmental Awareness and Education Act of 2008"
Strengthen the integration of environmental education towards
sustainable development in the Philippines (for all levels and
sectors) thru :
- Curriculum
- Educational Materials
- Training and Capacity Building for Educators/Trainers
- Institutionalization

RESPONSIBLE CENTERS
DepEd, CHED, TESDA, DENR and DOST
Lead the implementation of public education and
awareness programs on environmental protection and
conservation

DENR
Inform all agencies concerned on current environmental updates
including identification of priority environmental education issues
for national action

Provide strategic advice on environmental education activities


DOST
Create programs that will ensure that students receive
science-based quality information on environmental issues


STRATEGY: Collaborative Inter-Agency and Multi-
Sectoral Effort
Highlights of DENRs
Programs and Initiatives on
Environmental Education for
Sustainable Development
National Environmental Education Action Plan
for Sustainable Development (2005-2014)

Multi-stakeholder development of the National
Environmental Education Action Plan for
Sustainable Development (2005-2014), with
annual conferences on Environmental
Education since 2004.
Materials development activities on
various aspects of environment and
natural resources management:

instructional posters
videos, television and radio plugs

National Environmental Education Action Plan
for Sustainable Development (2005-2014)

Modules, manuals, and guidebooks
Environment and Natural Resources Module for
the Civic Welfare Training Service of the
National Service Training Program
Fact sheets and brochures
Newsletters and Journals
Brochures and pamphlets

National Environmental Education Action Plan
for Sustainable Development (2005-2014)

National Environmental Education Action Plan
for Sustainable Development (2005-2014)

Spearheaded linkaging with various educational
networks:

Philippine Association of Tertiary Level Educational
Institutions in Environmental Protection and
Management (PATLEPAM),
Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines
Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities

for conferences, workshops, trainings,
consultations

Conduct of year-round mobilization of sectors
during national and international environmental
celebrations and events
National Environmental Education Action Plan
for Sustainable Development (2005-2014)

Eco-Corps

To give environmentalism a major niche at the
tertiary level of the National Service Training
Program (NSTP), the DENR and PATLEPAM has
come up with eight (8) environmental modules
which will become part of NSTP's Civic Welfare
Training Services.
The DENR Youth Desk
Eco-Corps

Known as "Eco-Corp," the modules are
a collection of 52 hours of lectures and
hands-on exercises on community work
that revolve on various environmental
concerns. The modules are presently
undergoing pre-testing in various
universities.

The DENR Youth Desk
YES Camp

Now on its 6th year, the Youth For Environment
Summer Camp is jointly conducted for Students
and DepEd Students and Co-Curricular Affairs,
KASAMA Inc. and DENR Youth Desk held
throughout the country involving elementary, high
school students and science teachers.

YES CAMP College 2008 is a partnership with
the Office of Student Services, Commission on
Higher Education.
The DENR Youth Desk
YES Camp

DepEd Order No. 72, series of 2003, establishes
YES-O as the only co-curricular environmental
club or organization in schools.

It consolidates all other environmental and/or
ecology clubs or organizations in schools with
main and primary programs or projects for the
environment.


The DENR Youth Desk
Environmental Activities Targeting the Youth


National Search for Sustainable and Eco-
friendly Schools in coordination with DepEd,
CHED, and SMART Communications
Awarding will be held on November 2009, in
celebration of the Environmental Awareness
Month
Environmental
Education Materials
Modules and Guidebooks
Brochures
Fact sheets
Posters
Poster Calendars
Poster Calendars
Newsletters
State of the Environment Reports
Videos and TV Plugs
Challenges in
Environmental Education
Maintenance of a common resource facility for
environmental IEC exchange, and link with the
ASEAN Environmental Education Inventory
Database
Training of Teachers or Trainers on
Environmental Education/Education for
Sustainable Development
Challenges in
Environmental Education
Curriculum, and Support Instructional Materials
Development on Environmental Education for
Sustainable Development
Full utilization of other venues (e.g. multi-media
and alternative media) for Environmental
Education/Education for Sustainable Development
Challenges in
Environmental Education
Strengthening of Partnerships and Networking for
Environmental Education/Education for
Sustainable Development
Funds/financial support to expand Environmental
Education/Education for Sustainable Development
programs, particularly in the regions.
Thank you very much.
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Visayas Ave. Diliman, Quezon City
www.denr.gov.ph