Batangas City — The Department of Education (Deped) Batangas City and Malampaya Foundation Inc. (MFI) launched on August 2, 2016 a pioneering curriculum guide for teachers to creatively integrate ecological solid waste management into the education of public schoolchildren.

The guidebook is an integral component of MFI’s Young Eco Savers program for the institutionalisation of the principles of 4R’s in waste management: reduce, re-use, recycle and refuse. The Young Eco Savers program, started in 2011, targets elementary public schools and was piloted in 25 coastal schools of Batangas City. The program is now incorporated into a wider marine biodiversity conservation program of Malampaya Foundation for the Verde Island Passage.

The launch likewise featured a memorandum of agreement signing between MFI and the Deped for the continuing collaboration and partnership in environment-related initiatives in Batangas City public schools.

Keynote speaker during the launch was Batangas City Environment and Natural Resources Office Head Oliver Gonzales who lauded the efforts of the public and private sector to help progress efforts in keeping a greener city.