The Department of Education in Western Visayas (DepEd-6) is targeting to plant some 3 million trees by 2028 as part of the Eco Champions Program initiated by Regional Director Cristito Eco.

In an interview on Monday, DepEd-6 Regional Information Officer Hernani Escullar Jr. said they are adding to the competencies of learners the ways and means on how to ensure a sustainable environment.

“Whenever we have major activities, we include the tree planting activity as a way of encouraging children that more than the learning in the classroom on how to maintain a green environment, there must be an action toward it,” he said.

Trees are planted in schools but if there is no available space, they can be planted in the community or vicinity where the school is situated, Escullar said.

“What is important here is the value that we inculcate – that their simple acts would have a huge effect in our community and environment as a whole,” he added.

The DepEd-6 has been coordinating with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) through the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) and local government units to determine the species that should be planted.

Escullar said that besides tree planting, DepEd-6 also integrates disaster preparedness and resilience, and solid waste management in their curriculum. (PNA)