For most estero and river rangers of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), workday begins while most of the city is still asleep

Even before sunrise, these environmental warriors are already making their rounds, pulling plastic waste from waterways along Manila Bay and clearing clogged drainage to help prevent flooding in communities.

While quietly doing their job, many of them are also chasing their dream – to earn a college degree, thanks to the partnership between the DENR and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP).

Through the PUP Open University, environmental frontliners were given access to higher education while allowing them to work full-time so they could continue supporting their families.

Environment Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna said this supports the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to strengthen environmental protection while promoting sustainable development by investing in the people tasked with safeguarding the country’s waterways.

He said that the initiative demonstrates how government support can create opportunities for personal advancement.

“Alinsunod sa direktiba ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos na tutukan ang pangangalaga sa kapaligiran at isulong ang sustainable development, siniguro ng DENR na matugunan ang pagbibigay ng suporta sa mga tagapangalaga ng kalikasan katulad ng mga estero rangers (In accordance with President Bongbong Marcos’ directive to focus on environmental protection and promote sustainable development, the DENR ensured the provision of support to environmental guardians, such as estero rangers),” the DENR said in a statement.

“Nakipag-ugnayan ang DENR sa Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) upang mabigyan ng pagkakataong makapag-aral ang ating estero rangers sa pamamagitan ng flexible learning (The DENR coordinated with the Polytechnic University of the Philippines to provide our estero rangers the opportunity to study through flexible learning),” it added.

To date, 144 individuals have enrolled in the Study Program for Estero Rangers, allowing them to balance work, family responsibilities, and higher education.

Estero ranger Jose Marie Santos shared that he began working for the DENR during the pandemic.

“Iyon pong kahirapan, dahil po nung pandemic wala akong trabaho kaya ako nag-apply (It was the hardship, because during the pandemic I had no job, that’s why I applied),” he said.

The DENR said the Estero Ranger Program became a source of stable employment for many.

Like many, Santos had put education aside to focus on earning a living.

The department said that the initiative with PUP is allowing workers like Santos to pick up where they left off.

Jeferson Bondoc, meanwhile, shared a similar story, saying that work became his priority, pushing college education almost out of reach.

But then, he remembers his mother’s advice that because they do not have money or property, education is the only thing they could give their children.

“Kung baga po, parang nagsisi po ako, bakit mas inuna ko pong magtrabaho kaysa ituloy po yung pag-aaral ko. Kasi ang edukasyon nga po, yun lang po talaga yung maipamamana po nila sa atin. Kaya dali-dali rin po akong nag-enroll po sa PUP (I kind of regretted why I prioritized working over continuing my studies. Because education is the only thing they can pass on to us. That’s why I quickly enrolled in PUP),” he said.

“Kahit na matanda na po ako, is makatapos pa rin po ng pag-aaral. Gusto ko pong matupad po yung pangarap ng nanay ko sa akin (Even though I am already old, I still want to finish my studies. I want to fulfill my mother’s dream for me).”

The PUP Open University Program is specifically designed to make this possible, as classes are delivered using a flexible learning system and distance learning.

The DENR said this makes it possible for estero and river rangers to continue working while completing academic requirements.

Meanwhile, Christine Joy Salvador said she hesitated at first, and that finally deciding to enroll was not easy.

“Sobrang mahalaga po kasi sa pamilya po namin, kung makakatapos po ako ngayon, ako pa lang yung una na magkakaroon o magiging degree holder (It’s very important to our family because if I finish college, I will be the first one to become a degree holder),” she said.

“Nung nandito na po ako sa loob ng DENR, nung nagkaroon po ng opportunity na makapag-aral, talagang nung una dadalawang isip po ako, pero ang tumatak sa akin, para po sa anak ko, kasi gusto ko po makita nung anak ko na, ay, nakapagtapos pala yung mama ko, dapat ako din. Kung baga gusto ko magiging inspiration din po sa anak ko (When I was already here at the DENR, when the opportunity to study came, I really hesitated at first, but what stuck with me was that it was for my child, because I want my child to see, oh, my mom graduated, I should too. I want to be an inspiration to my child as well).”

Cuna said the DENR endorses interested estero rangers to the university, allowing qualified workers to enroll without leaving their jobs.

“Kung gusto magpursigi ng pag-aaral, gumawa ng open university system ang PUP kaya nagpapasalamat po kami, nagkakaroon sila ng opportunity. Siyempre oras rin nila since they’re working, nagkakaroon ng adjustments para mapagbigyan itong nais po makapagtapos (If they want to pursue their studies, PUP created an open university system, so we are thankful because they now have the opportunity. Of course, their time is also considered since they’re working. Adjustments are made to accommodate those who want to finish [their studies]),” he said.

“Sa ngalan ng Department of Environment and Natural Resources, taus-puso akong nagpapasalamat sa inyong hindi matatawarang serbisyo, katatagan, at malasakit sa bayan. Ang inyong ginagawa ay higit pa sa paglilinis ng mga estero at ilog, dahil kayo ay aktibong kabahagi sa pagbabago at pagpapanumbalik ng ating kapaligiran (On behalf of the DENR, I sincerely thank you for your unparalleled service, resilience, and dedication to the community. What you are doing goes beyond cleaning the esteros and rivers, because you are actively involved in the transformation and restoration of our environment).” (PNA)