(Part 1)
Engaging with #GenZ leaders is always a breath of fresh air. Picking their brains keeps yours sharp and offers a fascinating window into how they think, act, and make decisions on things that truly matter to them.
And this time, it is their love for the environment.
Below are the essential recommendations from their position paper submitted for the ongoing discussions, polishing, and validation of amendments to the revised Environmental Management Code of Tagbilaran City. The paper is a collaborative effort by Kabiling Lunhaw, represented by President Jairus Ismael L. Chiu, RN; Rising Alliance of Youth for Transformation (RAYT, formerly Angat GenC)-Bohol, led by John Michael V. Migriño; Greenpeace Philippines-Bohol Volunteers Local Group, steered by Co-Coordinator Bon Steve L. Gibalay; and the Holy Name University Students’ Movement for Climate Action, headed by Charles Zander Deluna.
The document was submitted to Vice Mayor Adam Relson Jala through Atty. Nerio Zamora II, chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Health, Sanitation, and Environment.
Institutionalize Youth Participation in Environmental Governance
Recommendation: A new Section immediately after Section 213 (Community Participation) under Chapter Six, Article XIV on Research, Education, and Partnerships: Section 214. Youth Participation In Environmental Governance. – The City shall recognize young people as active partners in environmental governance and shall ensure their meaningful participation in environmental planning, implementation, monitoring, research, education, policy development, and community-based environmental action.
The Tagbilaran City Environmental Management Office (TCEMO), in coordination with the City Youth Development Office (CYDO), Sangguniang Kabataan Federation, City Youth Development Council (CYDC), educational institutions, youth-serving and youth-led organizations, and other concerned stakeholders, shall establish mechanisms for youth consultation, environmental volunteering, citizen science, environmental education, and youth-led environmental initiatives.
The City may convene an Annual Tagbilaran Youth Environmental Assembly or integrate an equivalent mechanism within existing youth governance structures, through which young people from the City’s barangays, schools, organizations, and various sectors may assess environmental conditions, identify emerging concerns, develop recommendations, and propose environmental programs and policies.
Recommendations arising from such a mechanism shall be formally transmitted to the TCEMO and the City Environment and Natural Resources Protection and Climate Action Council for appropriate consideration and action.
Under Article II, Section 9:19, add two representatives of children and youth endorsed by the CYDO upon the recommendation of the CYDC.
Expand Environmental Education from IEC to Experiential Environmental Action
Recommendation: Expand Section 212 by adding the following paragraphs: Environmental education under this Section shall, whenever practicable, incorporate experiential, place-based, community-based, intergenerational, and solutions-oriented learning and shall not be limited to information, education, and communication campaigns.
The City shall encourage schools, barangays, youth organizations, civil society organizations, and communities to participate in activities such as biodiversity inventories, tree and mangrove monitoring, citizen science, waste characterization and audits, water and coastal monitoring, urban heat mapping, community environmental histories, ecological restoration, and participatory environmental research.
Environmental education programs shall promote not only environmental awareness but also environmental literacy, critical thinking, stewardship, civic participation, and citizens’ capacity to identify, develop, implement, and evaluate solutions to environmental challenges.
Establish a City Environmental Information System and Annual State of the Environment Report
Recommendation: A new Article after Article XIV of Chapter Six, entitled “Environmental Information, Research, and Accountability,” containing the following: Section __. Tagbilaran City Environmental Information System. – The TCEMO, in coordination with the City Planning and Development Office and other concerned offices, shall establish and maintain an integrated City Environmental Information System containing, to the extent practicable, environmental, ecological, climate, pollution, waste, water, coastal and marine, biodiversity, land-use, enforcement, and other relevant environmental information generated or maintained by the City.
Environmental information that may lawfully be disclosed shall be made accessible to the public through appropriate digital and non-digital platforms in accordance with applicable laws on data privacy, intellectual property, national security, and access to information.
Section two will cover:
Section __. State of the Tagbilaran City Environment Report. – The TCEMO shall prepare and publish an annual State of the Tagbilaran City Environment Report presenting the status and trends of the City’s environment, implementation of this Code, environmental programs and expenditures, compliance and enforcement actions, accomplishments, emerging environmental risks, and recommendations for succeeding years.
The Report shall utilize measurable indicators which may include solid waste generation and diversion, water and air quality, tree canopy and green space, biodiversity, mangrove and coastal ecosystem condition, urban heat, greenhouse gas emissions, environmental complaints and enforcement actions, and other indicators determined appropriate by the TCEMO and concerned technical bodies.
The Report shall be presented to the SP and City Environment and Natural Resources Protection and Climate Action Council and shall be made accessible to the public. (To be continued)
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