The protection and preservation of the Batanes Protected Landscapes and Seascapes in Batanes will be intensified with the action plans formulated by the Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) Ambassadors during the environmental youth camp recently held in Ivana town.

 

Focusing on ecological solid waste and forest management programs, the young environmentalists committed to conduct regular cleanup drives and tree planting activities, and initiate recycling projects.

 

They also plan to educate other youth on the importance of environmental preservation through the ENR Ambassador Handog Serbisyo Program.

 

Dubbed as ‘Kampo Kabataan para sa Kalikasan’ or KKK, the three-day youth camp organized by the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources (PENR) Office equipped the ambassadors from the Batanes State College (BSC), Saint Dominic College Batanes Inc., and Batanes National Science High School with basic ENR laws and coastal and marine ecosystems management.

 

They also planted over 100 indigenous trees such as Antipolo, Kamagong, Bitaog and Arius in Brgy. Radiwan of Ivana.

As active partners of DENR in advocacy campaigns, the participants were also equipped on environmental leadership and journalism. They were trained on how to produce and publish photo stories about the environment.

 

PENR Officer Victoria Baliuag lauded the participants for their commitment for the environment. She also encouraged them to influence their fellow youth to protect the environment.

 

“We are happy to know that we have partners like you. With your energy and passion, mas mapapangalagaan natin ang kalikasan lalo na dito sa Batanes,” she said.

 

In his message, Mayor Celso Batallones of Ivana town expressed his support to the various programs and activities of DENR.

In 2020, DENR Region 2 through Regional Executive Director Gwendolyn Bambalan partnered with BSC for advocacy campaigns, and social mobilization and partnership building activities.

 

Other activities held during the youth camp were team building, yell and banner making and search for the Kabataang Kampeon para sa Kalikasan.#