BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE TOMORROW || MPSU gears up NSTP students for environmental advocacy

The National Service Training Program (NSTP) of Mountain Province State University (MPSU)-Bontoc kicked off its first batch of a new environmental seminar series titled “Building a Sustainable Tomorrow: Empowering NSTP Students for Environmental Advocacy,” held at the Governor Leonard G. Mayaen Sports Center in Bontoc, Mountain Province.

Said activity brought together students from both the Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS) and the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) to strengthen environmental awareness and prepare them for community-based initiatives as they continue with NSTP2.

In his opening remarks, NSTP Director Mr. Mike N. Allidem underscored the significance of the seminar as the first environmental activity bringing together CWTS and ROTC students. “Today’s seminar is more than a requirement or an activity. It is a chance for us to deepen our understanding of environmental issues,” he said, encouraging students to become active stewards of the environment.

Representing MPSU President Dr. Edgar G. Cue, Dr. Annie Grail F. Ekid, Dean of the College of Teacher Education, delivered the President’s message, in which Dr. Cue emphasized that protecting the environment is a shared responsibility and urged students to transform knowledge into action by making sustainable choices, reminding them that, “The future is not something we simply wait for, it is something we create.”

The seminar featured lectures from environmental experts of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). Engr. Randy S. Langgaoan of the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB)-Provincial Environmental Management Unit (PEMU) Mountain Province discussed Environmental Protection and Management Introduction; Forester Roy Benedict B. Polled of CENRO-Sabangan presented the Seven Principles of the Environment and Environmental Laws; Forester Ralff Halley B. Marrero, also of CENRO-Sabangan, discussed Forest Protection, Conservation and Development and Water Sanitation and Conservation; while Jenalyn G. Calawen of PENRO highlighted The Role of the Youth in Environmental Protection and Management.

The seminar will also be conducted for Batch 2 and Batch 3 on August 8 and August 15, respectively, as part of the university’s continuing effort to equip NSTP students with the knowledge and skills needed to build a generation of environmentally aware and action-driven youth.