Since the last HAPI Trees 2 event held last September 11, 2016, the HAPI – Bacolod Humanists Society and Mandalagan National High School (MNHS) have been good partners for environmental causes.
With the help of Miss Julyn Lumbo, a faculty member of the MNHS who is and will be helping spearhead several projects in the future, both groups came up with a several proactive ideas which include bringing the Eco School Project to MNHS which began last November 18, 2016.
Why Environmental Causes?
Negros Occidental, though known as a green province, faces a lot of environmental issues. Movements from different advocacy groups started 25 years ago and the battle to protect the province’s remaining forest cover continues. The province’s forest serves as shelter to a wide variety of flora and fauna – who are we not to protect it? HAPI Bacolod Humanists Society has been active in this cause since its inception. As a part of, and founding member, of the Save NNNP (Northern Negros Natural Park) Movement, we employ and lend our voice to advocate the protection of the environment.
What is the ‘Eco School Project’?
The “Eco School Project” aims to develop well researched and sustainable school communities all over the Philippines. Hermogenes “HERMZ” Gacho, Education Director and lecturer of the Eco School Project and a member of HAPI, was able to share his knowledge to the students of MNHS. As a resident lecturer at the Danjugan Island Environmental Education Program (DEEP), he was able to site important and valuable points and details during the lecture on how to eliminate carbon footprint and lessen carbon emission.
Let’s Go Organic!
Setting-up the organic garden was a tasking, yet sustainable, activity among the projects. The team began with a lecture, led by Organic Farming Enthusiast Juan Miguel “Chef Pierre” Silva, on Organic Farming . The initiative actively involved the students in planting after being educated with the proper methodology on how to build a sufficient, self-sustaining organic garden. The school garden is projected to kick-off by January and is projected to be a source of feeding supply for the entire school.