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SUNDAY, AUGUST 27, 2017
Jimbo Gulle, Editor
Roger Garcia, Issue Editor
LGUs
Local Gov’t Units
mslocalgov@gmail.com
DOE OFFICE TEACHES 50 ‘ENERGY SMART’ MAKATI KIDS
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Part of the Save the Kids PH program in Tacloban City is the Margarita’s Save the Girls, in which young local girls (pictured) are trained in livelihood projects such as baking and accessory making, both as a form of therapy and as a tool to encourage financial independence.
SAVE THE KIDS PH
EMPOWERING, PROVIDING HOPE FOR THE YOUTH OF TACLOBAN
T
ACLOBAN CITY—Four years after the massive devastation brought about by Super Typhoon ”Haiyan,” this city’s local folks and its leaders continue to strive in earnest to help transform not only its land but likewise its people, particularly the youth that experienced the harrowing experience of a massive disaster that almost totally displaced their otherwise normal growing-up years of their lives.
Save the Kids PH recently launched its initial program in the city with a host of activities that more than anything else provided hope and empowered the young populace of this city. Rep. Yedda Romualdez, together with the Save the Kids PH officials, led in the ongoing efforts to promote and solicit massive participation among the younger generation of the city, in their quest to boost the trademark resilience of Filipinos specifically the people of Tacloban. “Empowering the kids emotionally and financially, at the same time enlivening their spirits and enhancing their self-worth are key components of the Save the Kids program,” Romualdez said. “Through teachings and subsequent immediate implementation of livelihood projects, the youth’s financial and self-sustaining abilities could, by and large, get them to stand on their feet and help in building a better future for themselves as well as their beloved homeland,” she added. Another critical aspect of the pro-
gram is to prepare them to become both physically and emotionally fit through various fitness, wellness and programs. Typhoon Haiyan’s impact was so much more than just the city’s environment; the natural disaster affected a recorded 9,679,059 people in total and left more than 10,000 dead in Leyte’s small capital alone. Almost four years after the devastation the residents are still reeling and trying to recover from the devastation. The ‘Save the Kids’ council felt that donating food and clothes to suffering victims was far from enough and thus chose Tacloban as the location of the organization’s launch in order to truly help kids sustain their emotional transformation that have had their homes, families, and basically everything stripped away from them. Save the Kids PH is an umbrella organization which—in partnership with government agencies, NGOs, and other groups—focuses on helping and empowering disadvantaged kids through livelihood programs, rehabilitation activities
Each program also starts with a proper singing of the national anthem to stimulate nationalism among the youth. and counselling. With Margarita Te as president, Martin Alindogan as vice president, and Rico and Renzo Lago as council members, Save the Kids is comprised of students of a variety of ages and schools; the organization is structured to ensure continuity and sustainability in future years. The launch had two simultaneous programs—Margarita’s Save the Girls, for which young girls are trained in livelihood projects such as baking and accessory-making, both as a form of therapy and as a tool to encourage financial independence, and Martin’s Rebound. ph, a basketball bootcamp meant to keep boys physically active and away from the harmful habits they may be inclined to be doing. The children were also invited to engage in a “Zumbathon” led
by both locally- and Manila-based Zumba instructors. The day commenced with an opening ceremony held at the main open gym. Around 200 girls, aged 13-17 years old, and boys aged 9-12 years old. Save the Kids PH officials led by Te and Alindogan personally assisted the conduct of various programs lined-up during the launch day activity These includes, accessory-making workshop provided by The Bead Shop group with Margarita as the lead coordinator. The tasks—to assemble bracelets and lanyards—were quite the challenge. The idea was that once they were familiar with the procedure, they would be able to make their own accessories and sell them. Turn to D2
THE Department of Energy taught 50 more grade school students on how to use energy efficiently recently bringing to 455 the number of its Energy Smart Kids. The DoE Consumer Welfare and Promotion Office staff conducted the energy briefing for grade school students to create awareness on energy conservation and efficient use of electricity at the DoE Headquarters in Bonifacio Global City with Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi attending the said workshop. “As part of the E-Power Mo! Campaign, we are more than committed to educate our youngsters to empower them so they’ll be able to discern the relevance of energy in their daily lives,” Cusi said in his talk during the event. “We have to inculcate the significance of energy to these children as early as possible to enable us to develop their energy consciousness and become part of our own army who can rally for efficient use of energy, among other energy aspirations that we have,” he added. Student participants from Grades V and VI students of Cembo Elementary School in Makati were accompanied by their science coordinator, Jeanne L. Angcaya, and Grade V teacher, Michael Madueño. DoE-CWPO head Helen B. Arias introduced the Energy Smart Kids Program and how DoE endeavors to make students “energy smart” by exposing them to new situations, new faces and true-tolife energy applications. The students were oriented on basic electricity concepts and household energy conservation tips. Engineers from the Renewable Energy Management Bureau highlighted the potentials of renewable energy. Sources of biomass and how they are transformed to produce electricity including the principles of solar and wind energy, the geologic settings of geothermal systems and how water is used to generate electricity were also presented and explained by top power engineers and experts. As take-home exercises, students were also asked to work on “Who Left the Lights on” by using logic to determine who is the culprit among the names mentioned in the short story; and on the “Energy Waste Coloring Page,” which directs the students to encircle all examples of energy being wasted in the given house configuration. As a tradition since its inception in 2016, the half-day educational program ended with the Pledge of Commitment branding the students as “Energy Cost Busters” to apply their newly acquired learning on energy in their day to day living.
REPUBLIC COMMITS TO REGREENING DANAO COAST
OVER 500 eco-warriors led by employees of Republic, together with representatives from the city government, the Federation and the CENRO, lent a hand transplanting 2,000 mangrove seedlings and propagules along the coast of Barangay Dungo-an. Aligned with Republic Cement’s advocacy for water sustainability, the company’s regreening initiatives included mangroves, recognized as nature’s bio-shields in tropical ocean coastlines. Mangrove forests also contribute to the protection of coastal areas from storm surges, by serving as filter for ocean trash and debris, and as breeding ground for fish and other aquatic life, nurturing the ecosystem
of the communities. The cement firm continues its commitment to the environment with a three-year Mangrove Reforestation and Rehabilitation Project with the DENR, the City Government of Danao and the Women’s Federation of Danao City. Similar efforts were made last year, at Sitio Dancar, Danao, in celebration of Arbor Day. “We’re confident that whatever effort we put into taking care of our water bodies today will ultimately help secure our children’s future. This continues to motivate us,” shared lawyer Anda Bolinas, Republic Cement’s Sustainability director.
Fostering environmental responsibility in all aspects of its operations, Republic Cement also focuses on integrating sustainable consumption in its production practices, including product formulation of blended cement which features fly ash, a coal combustion by-product, and environmentfriendly alternative fuels such as rice husk and refuse-derived fuel. Aside from Danao, Republic continues to partner with the local government, the DENR and people’s organizations to grow and maintain mangrove sites in Malolos, Bulacan and Bayug Island, Iligan City, an area almost totally wiped out by Tropical Storm ”Sendong” in 2011.
One of over 500 eco-warriors, led by employees of Republic Cement, lend a hand in transplanting 2,000 mangrove seedlings and propagules along the coast of Barangay Dungo-an in Danao City.