|
The
state of the Philippine environment is rapidly developing
into a crisis situation. Over time, various environmental
problems have heightened into unmanageable proportions.
Baguio, Benguet, like much of the Philippines suffers from
massive deforestation, pervasive and health-impairing
pollution, indiscriminate discharging of pollutants into the
rivers and lakes, pesticide poisonings, degradation and
erosion of agricultural lands, loss of biodiversity, and
more.
Everyone is affected but environmental problems seem to have
the greatest impact on the lives of the poor because they
are more exposed to the risks.
Article 24 of the UN convention on the Rights of Children
advises us that children have the right to clean water and a
clean environment. But more importantly, the convention
reminds us that
“If
children have a right to a clean environment, then they also
have a responsibility to do what they can to look after
their environment.”
“The
garbage hasn’t been collected in our area because there is
too much so people are burning their garbage before the dogs
spread it. So now we have a lot of air pollution” Samuel
told me. “Our dream is a clean environment with no pollution
and children preserving the environment, that’s why we
started the IB-A Youth Organization” said the 17 year old
president of IB-A youth organization.
IB-A
means brother-sister in Kankan-ey (a Northern
Philippine dialect) it is an organization formed by youth
for youth
through Child and Family Services Philippines in Baguio
City.
IB-A
promotes, educates and advocates adolescent reproductive
health, children’s rights and responsibilities and a clean
and green environment.
Goal:
To create social awareness in
adolescent reproductive health
a Clean
and Green environment and Children’s Rights through advocacy
and contribute in the development of our communities.
IB-A advocate a clean and green environment by working with
local government officials to find solutions where IB-A can
help fix environmental problems such as waste management,
water and air pollution. The kids focus on actions and
solutions holding clean up drives in different communities.
“We post signs and clean up the area to encourage other
youth to keep their space clean” We do this with the local
government so that children’s voices are heard and we can
express our rights” said IB-A member Jonathan.
The children also help by planting trees and holding
seminars for other young people on upholding their rights
and responsibilities as children.
“It is
our right but it is also our responsibility to have a clean
environment.” 16 year old member Hylyn told me.
Samuel says that we need to have a clean area “so that
tourists will want to visit our place”. The City Government
calls it “returning the scent of pine to Baguio” an effort
to restore and maintain the tourism that the city and
surrounding areas rely on. But planting trees and managing
waste are only remedies to an already growing issue of lack
of environmental education especially amongst youth.
“We
envision a united barangay, where children’s rights
are respected; children are demonstrating good values and
preserving the environment…” (extract from IB-As Vision)
IB-A is
committed to learning and teaching other children about
their environmental rights and responsibilities. IB-A
started its advocacy project in early 2008. “We have already
started coordinating with other stakeholders like the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources, some
barangay’s of La Trinidad and the National Science High
School, for an information education campaign of our
commitment in our municipality.” Said IB-A president Samuel.
The
young people of IB-A are currently working on an awareness
campaigns so that more people can be learn from their
organization. From their latest communications workshop, IB-A
has created a brochure which states their organizations’
mission, vision and goals and they are now working on an
advocacy campaign to promote the organizations values and
activities and to raise money to paint the space IB-A shares
with a local school for their regular meetings and
activities.
“We
want to beautify our space so that when we meet we are
inspired to beautify our communities. When other children
attend our activities we want them to see how we promote a
clean and green environment with our own space.” Jonthan
told me.
“Children
are our hope” said Hylyn “so future generations of children
can smell fresh air…and in Baguio fresh air smells like pine
trees.”
If you are interested in or would like to help the IB-A
youth organization in any way, please contact Mr. Efren
Cabbigat or Ms. Beverly Simon at 74 445 3800.
|
