MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has forged a partnership with One Meralco Foundation in line with the 2013 National Search for Sustainable and Eco-friendly Schools. DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Director Juan Miguel Cuna said the foundation shall provide about P900,000 worth of cash prizes and plaques for schools in the elementary, high school and college levels that will be recognized for their exceptional programs on energy efficiency and conservation. This is the first year that this leadership award will be given to schools joining the national search,†Cuna said. For his part, One Meralco president Jeffrey Tarayao said that it has long been an advocacy of Meralco to recognize public and private schools for their good initiatives in electricity conservation. “We want teachers and students to deepen their understanding of the vital role energy plays in their lives. Since the DENR has a very good platform for environmental and energy advocacies through the National Search for Sustainable and Eco-friendly Schools, we decided to forge a partnership with them to assist them in this endeavor,†Tarayao said.