The 6th National Search for Sustainable and Eco-friendly Schools is once again accepting entries for the most environment-friendly and sustainable schools in the Philippines.

This search is organized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), in collaboration with the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, Nestle Philippines and Landbank of the Philippines,to encourage schools/academic institutions to become more actively involved in environmental issues at a practical and local level.

Geared towards the adoption of behavioral solutions in addressing climate change and other environmental issues, the competition also aims to initiate active responses and raising community awareness and participation on environmental concerns among students, faculty and school administrators.

The competition is divided into three categories: elementary, high school and college. Both public and private institutions are invited to join. It will be judged by noted individuals in the areas of environmental education coming from the government and private sector, both at the regional and national levels.

The top entry per category from every region will be forwarded to the EMB Central Office in Quezon City for national judging.

Winning schools in the national level will receive PhP50,000 – 1st Prize, PhP40,000 – 2nd Prize, and PhP30,000 -3rd Prize, as well as plaques of recognition. As for the regional level, a certificate of recognition and a prize of PhP15,000 will be given to regional winners for each category.

Aside from the main winners, the search will also be awarding three Special Category Leadership Awards, namely: The Nestle Water Leadership Award that seeks to recognize and promote solutions, practices and initiatives of schools in water management and conservation; The Energy Leadership Award which focuses on energy efficiency and conservation embedded in school activities; and The Landbank Green Leadership Award will be given to the three national first prize winners per category.

The Nestle Water Leadership Award and the Energy Leadership Award will grant PhP20,000 to each of the winners at the national level for college, high school and elementary school categories. A prize of PhP10,000 and a certificate of recognition will be awarded to each of the regional winners of all categories. As for the Landbank Green Leadership Award, winners at the national level will be awarded PhP25,000.
The deadline for the submission of entries is on or before April 26, 2019. For public elementary and high school categories, three hard copies of entries shall be submitted directly to their respective DepEd Division Offices. For the private elementary and high school, and college categories, entries shall be submitted to the nearest EMB Regional Office.

Entries that should include a one-page description of the environmental programs and projects of the school with two photos with caption, and the other required information should also be uploaded at the Eco-friendly School Facebook Page or at ecofriendlyschools@gmail.com.

All the winning entries for each category, together with selected entries will be displayed during the national awarding ceremonies to be held in November in time for the celebration of the National Environmental Awareness Month.

For further details, you may contact the National Program Secretariat at the Environmental Education and Information Division, EMB-DENR, 2nd Floor HRD Building, DENR Compound, Visayas Ave., Diliman, Quezon City. Telefax Numbers: (02) 928-4674 and 376-5610 or via email at ecofriendlyschools@gmail.com.###