Total Recyclables Collected: 362,459 kilos
Project Zacchaeus-Eco Kolek Engages 95 Grade 5 Students in Circular Economy Roadshow at Sta. Monica Elementary School
Project Zacchaeus-Eco Kolek conducted a Circular Economy Roadshow at Sta. Monica Elementary School, engaging 95 Grade 5 students from the Science and Star sections together with their advisers, in the latest leg of the organization's environmental education campaign for the city's youth. The initiative was welcomed by the school's administration, with Principal Dr. Ferdinand A. Lagrada expressing his support for Eco Kolek's goal of promoting the Circular Economy and environmental awareness among young students. On the day of the roadshow, Grade 5 Science adviser Evyn Iligan coordinated closely with the Eco Kolek team to prepare the school gymnasium for the program.
Mitchell Gimena
Puerto Princesa City, Palawan — Project Zacchaeus-Eco Kolek conducted a Circular Economy Roadshow at Sta. Monica Elementary School, engaging 95 Grade 5 students from the Science and Star sections together with their advisers, in the latest leg of the organization's environmental education campaign for the city's youth.
The initiative was welcomed by the school's administration, with Principal Dr. Ferdinand A. Lagrada expressing his support for Eco Kolek's goal of promoting the Circular Economy and environmental awareness among young students. On the day of the roadshow, Grade 5 Science adviser Evyn Iligan coordinated closely with the Eco Kolek team to prepare the school gymnasium for the program.
Hosted by Ihra Derial, the event opened with the singing of the Philippine National Anthem and an opening prayer led by Merrianne Grace Roa. Ivan Jay Asturias facilitated the first session, introducing Eco Kolek's mission and guiding students through the importance of proper waste segregation and the journey of waste and its impact on the environment. Students actively took part in the discussion, answering questions and sharing their own experiences with waste management, before applying what they learned in a Waste Sorting Game that had them working in teams to sort waste cards into their correct categories.
Darline Cacal led the second session, Understanding the Circular Economy, explaining how the framework helps reduce waste and protect the environment through the responsible use of resources. The lesson was reinforced through a poster-making activity facilitated by Merrianne Grace Roa, themed "The Role of Youth in Building a Cleaner and Greener Future," through which students expressed how they could apply Circular Economy principles as students, children, and members of their community. A quiz bee followed to assess how well students had absorbed the day's lessons, with participants answering enthusiastically throughout.
Among the most meaningful moments of the day was the Pledge of Commitment, in which students promised to become Eco Warriors at home, in school, and in their communities by practicing proper waste management and the principles of the Circular Economy in their everyday lives. The program closed with an awarding ceremony recognizing students for their active participation, along with tokens of appreciation presented to the school's advisers — Evyn Iligan and Genevieve Correa of Grade 5 Science, and Hazel Ann Retinal of Grade 5 Star A — as well as recognition for Dr. Lagrada and the school for their partnership in advancing environmental education.
Through roadshows such as this one, Project Zacchaeus-Eco Kolek continues to expand its reach among Puerto Princesa's schools, equipping the city's youth with the knowledge, values, and inspiration to become active stewards of a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future.
