Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Central Luzon recognized the significant role of the youth in biodiversity protection and conservation.
DENR Central Luzon Information Officer Donaver Guevara stressed the youth sector can be active partners in ecological stewardship and sustainable environmental management.
“The voice of the youth impacts change, and we believe that environmental education is one way to equip people with the necessary skills and information to engage them in programs aimed at sustaining our rich biodiversity,” he said.
Relative to this, DENR partnered with the United States Agency for International Development Sustainable Interventions for Biodiversity, Oceans, and Landscapes in the conduct of an online competition dubbed as Online Biodiversity Quiz Contest.
“Kyle Mendoza of Aguinaldo J. Santos National High School in Bustos, Bulacan bested over 40 junior and senior high school students from 16 private and public schools in the region. Mendoza received PhP 5,000 and a certificate of recognition,” Guevara noted.
Meanwhile, Hugh Ralph Calpito of Ventinilla High School in Tarlac, and Lara Elaine Jao of Olongapo City National High School emerged as the second and third placers, respectively, bringing home PhP 2,500 each.
The event is in line with celebration of the International Day for Biological Diversity last May 22, and observance of the Month of the Ocean this May.