Bringing the wonder of wildlife to children with storytelling and games carries on in the Visayas.
Innovative learning for biodiversity conservation will now be offered to children and youth in Panay Island.
By Vivienne Songcayawon, Central Philippine University
A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was recently inked by Haribon Foundation for the Conservation of Natural Resources, Inc. and Central Philippine University (CPU) to implement Biodiversity on Wheels (BOW) Project in the Visayas.
During the MOA signing held at the Knowledge Development Center (KDC) of the Henry Luce III Library, CPU, a leading private university in Western Visayas, was represented by its president, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles and Haribon by its chief operating officer, Ms. Maria Belinda de la Paz.
The year-long partnership aims to conduct various Communication Education and Public Awareness (CEPA) initiatives in Panay through the BOW program using the HARI Ecovan.
As stated in the contract, the University would be in-charge of one HARI Ecovan, which contains educational and reading materials and a multi-media set. This Ecovan will be used as a vehicle to raise the public’s consciousness on biodiversity and environmental conservation.
The University would also form a BOW-Visayas Team, which would be composed of CPU students, faculty, and staff who would serve as facilitators during the implementation of the program in the region.
Dr. Robles was thankful that CPU has forged such partnership with Haribon since the BOW project was in line with the CPU vision of Exemplary Christian Education for Life (EXCEL).
Educating people on biodiversity and environmental issues could help them become responsible stewards of this world.
“It is indeed a blessing for CPU to have this kind of partnership, because we believe that all of us have the responsibility to preserve our environment,” said Dr. Robles.
Through the efforts of both parties, HARIBON and CPU hoped to develop more environmental advocates and are looking forward to a long-term partnership.
On the other hand, Ms. de la Paz said that this collaboration with CPU will open doors to more efforts in biodiversity conservation and raise more champions for the environment.
Conservation work doesn’t just happen in our forests or oceans. It must also take place in our schools via education. Help bring the Biodiversity on Wheels (BOW) program to more children in our public and private schools. To donate, call: +63-2-434-4696 and/or email: bow@haribon.org.ph today!
