By Kenneth Marcos 
Students learn the importance of protecting nature and their role in preserving it
In a public high school in Navotas, students sat quietly—some curious, others wide-eyed—as they listened to stories of forests being cleared and wildlife disappearing. But they weren’t just lessons from a book. These were real issues affecting their future.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through its Metropolitan Environmental Office (MEO) – North, recently held a successful Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) Campaign at Filemon T. Lizan Senior High School. The event aimed to raise awareness among young people about the urgent need to protect the environment and follow existing environmental laws.
DENR officers explained several important laws, including the Forestry Code of the Philippines (Presidential Decree No. 705), which regulates forest use and promotes reforestation; Presidential Decree No. 953, which requires tree planting in certain areas; the Chainsaw Act of 2002 (Republic Act 9175), which controls the use of chainsaws to prevent illegal logging; and the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act (Republic Act 9147), which protects endangered species and their habitats.
The discussion helped students understand not just the rules, but also the reasons behind them. Why are forests being cleared? What happens when animals lose their homes? What can young people do to help?
According to MEO–North officials, the youth have a vital role in shaping a greener and safer future. They emphasized the importance of reporting illegal logging and wildlife trade, respecting natural habitats, and spreading environmental awareness in their communities.
“Hindi lang ito tungkol sa batas,” one DENR speaker said. “Tungkol ito sa kinabukasan ng bawat isa sa atin. Kayo ang pag-asa ng kalikasan.”
The campaign also encouraged students to adopt simple but impactful practices—like planting trees, properly managing waste, avoiding single-use plastics, and joining local clean-up drives.
By learning the laws and how to act on them, students were empowered to become active partners in protecting nature. Teachers from the school also expressed support, saying the campaign helps reinforce what students learn in science and social studies.
This is part of DENR’s larger effort to reach out to schools, barangays, and local communities, aiming to build a culture of environmental responsibility from the ground up. In the face of climate change, deforestation, and biodiversity loss, the agency believes that education remains one of the most powerful tools to drive long-term change.
As the session ended, many students left the classroom with a clearer sense of purpose—and hope.
With continued youth participation, shared knowledge, and stronger community action, the Philippines can move closer to a future where nature is not just protected, but also respected.
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