YES-O KIDS HOST CLEAN UP DRIVE

“This activity is the first call to wake the awareness of the whole community. We are determined to take serious actions on the protection and preservation of our environment,” remarked Christian R. Talaboc, the Youth Formation Coordinator of SDO-San Juan during the inaugural launch of YES-O on 5 March 2019 at the covered court of San Perfecto.

The host principal, Dr. Lucila G. Artuyo, inspired the audience in her message. She said, “All of us must be sound or clean not just in physical attributions but also in mind, in words, and in deeds. It starts within ourselves and even as young people, it is delightful to see our pupils being the first citizens to take serious actions on caring for the environment.”

Pupils from the eight public elementary schools and the lone secondary school merged at San Perfecto Elementary School armed with their cleaning materials like broomstick, dust pan, and garbage bag. Each school is assigned every street of the said barangay to clean up and do the segregation of trashes on the garbage bag.

Interestingly, the community was inspired to replicate the value of initiative and the collective spirit of taking care of the environment. In a short interview with the residents, Aling Sonia expressed, ”Ako’y napapa-wow sa mga pinamalas ng mga bata ito sa paglilinis ng aming kalye. Mukhang kailangan din naming alagaan and panatilihing malinis ang paligid pati sa bahay naming.”

This environmental campaign has been in existence by virtue of several orders released by the Department of Education such as DO no. 72, s. 2003 titled, “Establishment of the YES-O Organization”, DO no. 52, s. 2011 titled, “: Strengthening Environmental Education in Public and Private Schools” and DO no. 93, s. 2011 titled, “Mandated Programs, Projects and Activities, Various Forms and Targets Pertinent to YES-O Program.”

Similarly, the local government of San Juan is committed to the protection and conservation of the environment. There is a solid partnership between DepEd and the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) where the EnviroKids emanated from.

The environmental campaign lasted until 11:00 o’clock in the morning with some reminders laid by Mr. Talaboc to the advisers and to the little ecological protectors. There would be an election of YES-O officers to be called for in the next days to formalize the organization. Likewise, he extended his gratitude for the support to this activity as all participants went back to their respective schools with a sense of fulfillment in their smiles.