Energy-efficient schools to get awards

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has renewed its partnership with the social development arm of power utility giant Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) for a nationwide award honoring energy-efficient schools.

The first time One Meralco sponsored the “Meralco Energy Leadership Award” was in 2013.

Under the new agreement, the foundation agreed to provide P900,000 worth of prizes for schools to be recognized for their exceptional programs on energy efficiency and conservation.

Nominations for the 2015 National Search for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools were opened as early as January. The competition recognizes academic institutions with best eco-friendly programs and activities, DENR Undersecretary and concurrent Environmental Management Bureau Director Jonas Leones said.

It is open to all public and private elementary and high schools, colleges and universities. The deadline for submission of nominations is on April 10. The winners will be announced in November.

 The Meralco Energy Leadership Award is given to schools with exemplary initiatives to promote practices in electrical safety, energy efficiency and conservation.

The nationwide search for “greenest” schools started in 2009 as a direct response to Republic Act No. 9512, or the Environmental Awareness Education Act of 2008 and the country’s initiative in support of the declaration of 2015 as the ASEAN Environment Year, which has the theme: “Empowering the Youth for a Cleaner and Greener ASEAN.”

The competition encourages schools and academic institutions to become more actively involved in environmental issues at the local level. It also aims to develop skills and understanding among students, faculty and school administrators to initiate active and practical responses and increase community awareness and involvement in environmental concerns.

Nine schools will be declared overall eco-friendly champions in November in time for the national observance of National Environmental Awareness Month.

 The national search is a joint undertaking of the DENR-EMB, Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, One Meralco Foundation, Nestle Philippines, Smart Communications Inc. and the Land Bank of the Philippines.

The memorandum of agreement was signed by Leones and One Meralco president Jeffrey Tarayao.