
Fifty junior high school students from various schools in Puerto Princesa City pledged to be advocates of sustainability in Palawan after completing the first-ever Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Youth Camp last Oct. 18 to 19 at PCSD Training Center in Brgy. Irawan.
The SDG Youth Camp is a program by Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff (PCSDS), supported by USAID Protect Wildlife, focused on educating the youth on Palawan’s ecological significance and empowering them to actively participate in achieving the United Nation’s SDGs.
Before the camp officially commenced, PCSDS Executive Director Nelson P. Devanadera challenged the participating students to keep themselves well-informed on the conservation challenges involving Palawan as it directly affects their future.
The students, coming from Life College, Salve Regina School of Palawan, Kids World Learning Center, and Palawan State University Laboratory High School, grouped into teams, built new friendships, listened to lectures, explored outdoors and other fun-filled activities.
SDG Youth Camp Best Team Leader Bea Villaos, a 16-year-old student from PSU-LHS, said the activities are fun, educational, and memorable.
“I learned that everything in the environment is interconnected and we do little things every single day that causes a huge impact on our environment,” Bea shared.
The lectures were given by experts from PCSDS, Pilipinas Shell Foundation Tandikan Program, Wild Expeditions Palawan, and the 3rd Marine Brigade.
Ms. Biore C. Palao, one of the camp’s recipients of Best Teacher Award, expressed her gratitude for enabling the students to learn outside the four walls of the classrooms and personally learn important skills and lessons outdoors.
“I believe may malaking impact lalo na ngayon na kailangan na talaga nating gumawa ng paraan para maconserve yung natural resources natin. Natutuwa ako kasi at their young age natututo na sila,” she said.
After the two-day camp, the students signed a commitment board that states their pledge to abide by the ecological principles and become advocates of the environment towards a sustainable future.
As newly deputized pioneers of the PCSD Youth Wildlife Savers Club, the campers will be champions of sustainability in their respective campuses through programs and activities with help and support by PCSDS and partners.