Around 250 Baguio Central University (BCU) students made plans for the city’s environment and climate change programs after a series of lectures from the authorities on technology, eco-consciousness and sustainability last July 11.
City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) Assistant head Engr. Marivic Empizo, assisted by Engr. Jhomer Samoranos, lecturers from the Saint Louis University (SLU), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and other offices were welcomed by BCU Vice-President for Academic Affairs Dr. Elma Donaal, with Mayor Benjamin Magalong represented by Executive Assistant Benjamin Macadangdang, for the first series of the eco-consciousness lectures.
The students who actively participated are from the colleges of Criminal and Justice education, Teacher Education and Liberal Arts, Engineering, Nursing, Business Administration, Hospitality and Tourism Management. BCU is the first venue of the lectures in Baguio colleges.
As it is the rainy season, the students focused on rain harvesting, recycling and reuse, smart water distribution, leak detection and repair mostly in the school environment. The students proposed the water conservation measures at school in coordination with school authorities, utility workers and themselves as coordinating persons.
Another program for liquid wastes being eyed is advanced filtration, aquaponics, dewatering, sedimentation and recycling, with the end program as nutrient recovery through innovative technology; the separation of solid wastes and conversion into usable forms.
The BCU students see these efforts to address water scarcity issues, while keeping liquid wastes in check.
A solid waste program entails a four-day information and educational seminar, clean-ups, collection of trash and fashion in coordination with National Service Training Program (NSTP) students, it was reported.
Land development for environmental matters within the school area was seen as problematic, yet BCU students suggested vertical gardening to make most of the space, with produce to be sold for funds.
Enterprising students requested the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to see the possibility of having broken glass as part of the traffic light “cat eyes.”
The participating student body offered to help the school’s remaining open land areas be landscaped, or turned into ecological parks within a year, with efforts from the faculty, administrators and NSTP students.
The students also volunteered to beautify city parks; in coordination with the City Engineering Office, CEPMO and other offices.
Tree planting, nurturance and maintenance of green covers are also in the students’ environmental calendars.
All activities are in consonance with the 3rd Saleng festival, the LGU-initiated environmental program, with the theme, “Amplifying Voices for Environmental Advocacy.” ** JGF with reports from CEPMO
