VSU wins regional search for sustainable and eco-friendly schools 2013

After a thorough evaluation by the Regional Level Core Group for the 2013 Search for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools in Region 8 (College Category), the Visayas State University Main Campus through its President, Dr. Jose L. Bacusmo, received a letter dated July 16, 2013 from the OIC Regional Director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources of Region 8, Director Letecia R. Maceda, congratulating the University as the Regional Winner in the Tertiary Category. Likewise, VSU was adjudged Regional Winner for the two Special Categories: Water Leadership Award and Energy Leadership Award.

As regional winner, VSU will represent Region 8 in the 2013 National Search for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools which will be participated in by other regional winners throughout the country.

The Search, which is categorized into three (elementary, high school, and college), intends to give recognition to the environmental initiatives of schools all over the country. It aims to encourage schools/academic institutions to become more actively involved in environmental issues at a practical and local level; and to develop skills and understanding among the students, faculty and school administrators in initiating active responses and increasing community awareness and participation on environmental concerns.

VSU has been judged based on the following criteria: 1) Sustainability Aspects of the School's Policy – 10 points; 2) Environmental Dimensions of School Operations – 30 points; 3) Environment-related Features of the School Curriculum – 30 points; 4) Presence of Vibrant Eco-Organizations in the Campus – 10 points; 5) Presence of Environmental Partners and Linkages in Various Programs, Projects and Activities – 10 points; and 6) In keeping with recent initiatives of the UNESCO for the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014), the following criteria were introduced: a) Socio-Cultural Sustainability – 5 points, and b) Economic Sustainability – 5 points.

The Regional Level Core Group tasked to screen and assess the entries for the aforesaid contest was composed of Ms. Rowena P. Vinegas from the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Mr. Cydric B. Suyom of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Dr. Antonio A. Pino of the Department of Education (DepEd), and Mr. Rusty V. Bautista of the Pollution Control Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PCAPI)—all in Region 8.

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