Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro — The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) Oriental Mindoro, together with the MBC Project Management Unit (MBC-PMU) of the DENR-UNDP/GEF Biodiversity Corridor Project, and the Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices (CENRO) of Socorro and Roxas, successfully conducted the first leg of the Eco-Education Caravan across schools in Oriental Mindoro from October 7 to 10, 2025.
The caravan aims to nurture environmental awareness and appreciation for biodiversity among young learners through engaging and interactive educational activities.
The first leg of the caravan was held in four schools across the province. The pilot activity took place on October 7, 2025, at Adriatico Memorial School in Calapan City. This was followed by sessions at Loyal Elementary School in the Municipality of Victoria on October 8, Magdayaga Elementary School in the Municipality of Bongabong on October 9, and Graciano Politico Dela Chica Mangyan High School in the Municipality of Baco on October 10. The sessions engaged elementary students from Grades 3 to 6 and high school students from Grades 7 to 10, who all actively participated in the program’s activities.
The caravan featured a lecture on the Tamaraw (Bubalus mindorensis) in celebration of Tamaraw Month this October. The lecture highlighted the ecological importance and conservation status of this iconic and endemic species of Mindoro. These discussions were delivered by For. Bea Natasha R. Fortu of PENRO Oriental Mindoro, For. Mackaley P. Martinez of CENRO Socorro, Forest Technician Nowena B. Joung of CENRO Roxas, and Engr. Jenard Paskil, Capacity Development Officer from the MBC-PMU, across the four participating schools.
Students also enjoyed a storytelling session featuring “Lakbay Tamtam,” a child-friendly book produced by MBC. It is a heartwarming tale about a tamaraw’s journey through the Mindoro Biodiversity Corridor in search of other species like Tamtam. The book reading was facilitated by Ms. Aquem Janna T. Hernandez, Stakeholders Engagement Specialist of the MBC-PMU, who encouraged students to reflect on the importance of protecting wildlife and their habitats.
Throughout the caravan, students showed great enthusiasm and curiosity, actively engaging in discussions and activities. To recognize their participation, they received tokens such as notebooks, pencils, lanyards, pens, and fans. Snacks and refreshments were also provided, adding to the students’ enjoyment.
Following the success of its Oriental Mindoro leg, the second leg of the Eco-Education Caravan will be conducted in selected schools across Occidental Mindoro from October to November 2025, continuing the mission of fostering environmental awareness and promoting biodiversity conservation among Mindoreño youth.
The Integrated Approach in the Management of Major Biodiversity Corridors in the Philippines, or DENR–UNDP/GEF BD Corridor Project seeks to operationalize integrated management of biodiversity corridors to generate multiple benefits, including effective conservation of globally threatened species and high conservation value forests, reduce deforestation and degradation, and enhance local biodiversity-friendly livelihoods.
The project is implemented by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme and funded by the Global Environment Facility. 🧑🏫🌱
