ILOILO City — To instill environmental consciousness and disaster resilience among students, the Department of Education (DepEd) Region 6 has planted over 28,000 trees across 2,836 public schools in Western Visayas, marking a region-wide launch of the ECo (Environmental Conservation) Champions Program.
Held in time with the culmination of World Environment Month, the campaign was officially launched on June 30 at the Tiu Cho Teg – Ana Ros Foundation Integrated Farm School (TCT-ARFIFS) in Barangay Lanit, Jaro, Iloilo City. The program mobilized learners, school officials, and personnel in a massive greening effort that not only symbolized ecological renewal but also highlighted education’s role in achieving climate resilience and sustainability goals.
DepEd Region 6 officer-in-charge Director Cristito Eco said the initiative aims to transform schools into “prime movers of sustainable practices,” aligned with the country’s Climate Change Act, Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, and the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“While all our resources and efforts are geared towards improving the basic foundational skills of our learners such as literacy and numeracy, we will likewise strengthen integration of environment stewardship and disaster resilience in the curriculum to ensure that our learners are not only academically competent but also disaster resilient and environmental stewards champions,” Eco stressed.
Described as a “movement” rather than a mere program, the ECo Champions initiative promotes the institutionalization of eco-friendly practices within the schools’ daily operations and curriculum.
“The ECo Champions Program is more than just an initiative—it is a movement. We are empowering our learners to become responsible stewards of the environment and proactive agents of change,” Eco added.
To underscore their commitment, key education leaders from Iloilo City, Iloilo Province, and Guimaras — including Schools Division Superintendents, Assistant Superintendents, REXECOM members, and personnel from various Schools Division Offices — signed a pact pledging to uphold environmental protection.
Native trees were also planted by top DepEd officials and stakeholders as a gesture of unity and resolve to nurture greener and safer school communities.
The program is expected to evolve into a long-term platform for environmental education and community-based resilience-building in Region 6./PN
