On fighting against climate change: Imuseños unite through green schools

Rio Angela Belosillo

Kung ayaw may dahilan; kung gusto palaging mayroong paraan.

This Filipino proverb ignited Imus National High School (INHS) to act as it heeds the need to address the inevitable implications of climate change in the country through its school-based environmental projects.

Jonard Saria, INHS School Property Custodian and Overseer of the Green School Program, shared how their school was able to expand and materialize their challenging call to action despite the lack of modern equipment and resources through Bayanihan.

“Nagtulungan talaga ang lahat, kahit yung principal ng school ay involved sa mga environmental projects na makakatulong sa community natin,” Saria shared.

Likewise, he emphasized the significant role of the local government in achieving their goals to save the planet.

In fact, as part of its legacy project, the local government of Imus City led the implementation of the greening concept in all public schools, to raise environmental awareness and protection.

Through the initiative of INHS, Mayor Emmanuel Maliksi encouraged other schools to adopt environmental programs and practices through the Green School Program in the entire city.

“Gusto nating ipakita rito hindi lang sa paaralan, kundi sa buong lungsod na ang inyong mga opisyal ay may pagpapahalaga sa kalikasan,” Maliksi stated in a speech.

Modified rainwater collector from recycled materials

To aid climate change from spoiling the citizens’ remaining water reserves, the city mayor initially planned to build large rainwater harvesters around the city to conserve rainwater.

However, each school would need to spend a large amount on purchasing complete rain harvester systems.

Because of this, Arturo P. Rosaroso Jr., INHS Principal IV, invested in welding machines; with the help of Jonard Saria, INHS Property Custodian, together with the Civil Security Unit (CSU) personnel who are skilled in welding, they devised their own effective and low-cost modified water harvesters using recycled materials, instead.

“May mga CSU personnel kasi dito na may alam sa welding, nag-invest nalang sa welding machines kahit medyo mahal kasi magagamit din naman ito for the future,” Saria stated.