Youths Attend Ocean and Seas Forum for MOO 2024

Iloilo City – The scorching heat index did not deter the group of students and faculty of Fort San Pedro National High School (FSPNHS) in St. Rosario St., Port Area, Iloilo City to actively participate in the Ocean and Seas Forum on May 6, 2024.

It is the highlight of DENR 6’s Month of the Ocean celebration with this year’s theme: “Develop a sustainable and equitable blue economy”. The activity was spearheaded by the Conservation and Development Division (CDD) through its Coastal and Foreshore Resources Management Section (CFRMS).

Taking the lead on behalf of CDD Chief Danilo Lorilla are Emelyn S. Peñaranda, PhD, CDD Assistant Division Chief and CFRMS Chief, Forester Mary Ann Baldove, DDM. At least fifty (50) students (and faculty signed-up for) the forum. Science teachers and staff of Fort San Pedro National High School participated in the activity.

“The Month of the Ocean aims to highlight the importance of the conservation, protection, and sustainable management of coastal and marine resources and our environment. Region 6 is also an archipelagic region that’s why we have a lot to gain and at the same time, a lot more to do to protect our seas,” Peñaranda expressed in her message.

A lecture was made highlighting how the oceans greatly contribute to the economy and livelihood of people and the different ways to combat marine pollution especially of the single-use plastics. A trivia game was also done to test what they have learned from the talk and the videos that were shown. The participants were also taught how to properly fill-up a Volunteer Ocean Trash Data Form.

“Your presence here is a testament of your love for our oceans. The heat did not stop you from joining this activity. As youth, you represent the future, and it is crucial that you are equipped with the knowledge and skills to take care of our waters. We, at DENR, hope that you would become strong partners in this mission,”Baldove said.

At the end of the event, the students expressed their commitments on how they can contribute to taking care of our seas and oceans and gave feedback regarding the activity.

“I acknowledge even more today kung ano ka importante ang aton oceans. I can now say and testify nga mas protektahan ko ang aton mga dagat and also educate my peers and fellow learners about sa mga natun-an ko diri,” says one of the student participants.

The DENR 6 urges everyone to support and be part of efforts to make our waters clean and healthy, and to harness the potential of this blue economy which sustains most of our population across the region and the country as a whole.

“It is very important to engage with young people so that as early as possible, the core value of pagiging “Makakalikasan” can be inculcated to them. As an archipelagic country, we rely so much of our needs in the ocean and seas. Therefore, we owe the rich blue waters that surround us our commitment and dedication towards its protection.

Let us work together, the government and the private sector, to preserve our marine ecosystems for the next generation,” Regional Executive Director Livino B. Duran said./DENR6