The first-ever Environmental Leadership Camp in the City commenced yesterday, June 12, with the theme, Green Leadership: Empowering Borongan youth leaders for a brighter tomorrow.
The camp is a 4-day activity designed to equip the youth, especially the Sangguniang Kabataan leaders, with the knowledge necessary for the fulfillment of their role as catalysts of environmental conservation in their respective barangays. Further, it aims to enhance their leadership abilities in understanding environmental sustainability, disaster risk and climate impact through interactive sessions and field exposure to encourage active community engagement and participation in environmental protection.
City Environment and Natural Resources Officer For. Jojito Acla, who represented Mayor Dayan Agda, emphasized that this activity will be done yearly which is a great opportunity to awaken the youth sector and take action on the importance of environmental protection. He added that it also aims to expand its reach to the entire province.
“We are hoping that this will become a model of [the] whole Eastern Samar. This is our aim nga magkamay-ada hin Provincial Youth Environmental Leadership Camp,” said Acla.
Ivy Capones, SK Chairman of Brgy. Pinang-an, also shared her expectations for the 3-day Environmental camp.
“I am expecting nga maka-gain hin knowledge regarding the environment para mai-share [ko] ngadto hiton akon Barangay,” said Capones.
Also present during the opening were DTI Senior Trade-Industry Development Specialist, Benjie Panaguiton who discussed the Camp Formation and Camp Management, SP Secretary Alberto Acampado as Vice Mayor Emmanuel Tiu Sonco’s representative, and SK Federation Officer Hon. Jimuel L. Adona who both showed their support and encouraged the participants to seize the opportunity to gain environmental knowledge.
The said activity is a collaboration between the City ENRO, ESSU College of Science, City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), City Mayor’s Office represented by Project Management Office, 78th Infantry “Warrior” Battalion, and the SK Federation Office.