DENR holds consultative workshop on environment

The Department of Environmental and Natural Resources, through its Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), held a consultative workshop for the development of a 10-year national action plan on environmental education at the Sulo Hotel in Quezon City last Nov. 26-28.

The three-day workshop reviewed and assessed environmental education program and projects undertaken by various groups with reference to the National Environmental Education Action Plan from 1992-2002. Issues affecting environmental education were identified including measures to address them.

Highlights of the workshop included presentation of papers on the challenges facing environmental education, in light of recent developments in the international, regional, and national landscapes.

Papers detailing local implementation and experiences, including gaps and the needed actions to enhance environmental education in the country for the next 10 years, at the elementary, secondary, and tertiary levels as well as in technical and vocational education and in non-formal education were, likewise, presented in the workshop.

EMB Director Julian Amador delivered the keynote message, while the following presented a variety of topics:

Amelia Dulce Supertran, environment portfolio manager of the United Nations Development Programme, on the International Challenges in Environmental Education: Perspectives from the Johannesburg Summit Plan of Implementation and the Framework for a Draft Implementation Scheme on the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development slated for 2005-2014;

Dr. Lilia Rabago, a consultant on the perspectives from the ASEAN Environmental Education Action Plan; and

National Economic and Development Authority assistant director Cleofe Pastrana on the National Challenges in Sustainable Development Education: perspectives from the Enhanced Philippines Agenda 21.

Dr. Merle Tan, director of the Natonal Institute for Science and Mathematics Education Development of the University of the Philippines, on the overview and outcomes of the National Environmental Education Action Plan for 1992-2002.

Officials and key personnel from the country’s education departments, such as the Department of Education and Skills Development Authority, presennted papers, too.

The workshop enabled the Philippine participants to come up with Environmental Action Plan for 2004-2013.