CALBAYOG CITY – Oquendo National High School (ONHS) is in an altitude of accomplishments with two regional championship recognitions in its implementation of environment-friendly programs, besting over other secondary schools in Eastern Visayas to the national level of the search.
ONHS was awarded as the Regional Champion in the Search for Sustainable and Eco-friendly School Over-all Category for Secondary Schools. Another recognition earned by ONHS is being the Regional Champion in the Water Leadership Awards – Secondary School Category.
Being the only school in Calbayog that made it to the regional category, ONHS bested other secondary schools in Eastern Visayas to be one of the 17 secondary schools in the country that qualified to the national finals.
This achievement of ONHS is a milestone not only in the 49 years of the school’s existence but also for the City Schools Division of Calbayog City. After five years of the contest, this is the first time that a school in Calbayog ranked highest in Eastern Visayas to qualify to the national level in the over-all category.
ONHS was awarded as the Regional Champion in the Search for Sustainable and Eco-friendly School Over-all Category for Secondary Schools. Another recognition earned by ONHS is being the Regional Champion in the Water Leadership Awards – Secondary School Category.
Being the only school in Calbayog that made it to the regional category, ONHS bested other secondary schools in Eastern Visayas to be one of the 17 secondary schools in the country that qualified to the national finals.
This achievement of ONHS is a milestone not only in the 49 years of the school’s existence but also for the City Schools Division of Calbayog City. After five years of the contest, this is the first time that a school in Calbayog ranked highest in Eastern Visayas to qualify to the national level in the over-all category.
ONHS Secondary School Principal, Milaner Oyo-a, in an interview, told Calbayog Journal that “being chosen and recognized by both government and private sector such as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Education (DepEd), and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) with Land Bank of the Philippines, Nestle Philippines, Smart Philippines and One MERALCO is indeed an overwhelming blessing for all of us.”
“Creating a different culture for every learner by instilling to them the need to take care of the environment is evident in the lesson plans of every teacher such that environmental objective is always present in their daily lessons,” Oyo-a said.
The school principal further narrated that it was at first difficult to convince and get the entire school into the goal of making the school desirable and environment-friendly.
Thru the school’s banner venture - “project INSPIRES” – ONHS gained the support of the entire school community in moving towards making the school a center of reform in the environment advocacy.
Oyo-a emphasized that “Project INSPIRES is all about fostering collaboration among the school, the teachers, the learners, the parents, and the community in creating a culture of sustaining a learner-centered and eco-friendly learning environment.”
On the note that the school’s achievements and awards are concrete indicators of transformation and collaboration of all stakeholders, Oyo-a further said that “the awards received will be a constant reminder to the entire family of ONHS in sustaining eco-friendly practices – an inspiration that will reign to rule in keeping our environment livable.”
“Creating a different culture for every learner by instilling to them the need to take care of the environment is evident in the lesson plans of every teacher such that environmental objective is always present in their daily lessons,” Oyo-a said.
The school principal further narrated that it was at first difficult to convince and get the entire school into the goal of making the school desirable and environment-friendly.
Thru the school’s banner venture - “project INSPIRES” – ONHS gained the support of the entire school community in moving towards making the school a center of reform in the environment advocacy.
Oyo-a emphasized that “Project INSPIRES is all about fostering collaboration among the school, the teachers, the learners, the parents, and the community in creating a culture of sustaining a learner-centered and eco-friendly learning environment.”
On the note that the school’s achievements and awards are concrete indicators of transformation and collaboration of all stakeholders, Oyo-a further said that “the awards received will be a constant reminder to the entire family of ONHS in sustaining eco-friendly practices – an inspiration that will reign to rule in keeping our environment livable.”
Among the programs of ONHS that were significant to winning the regional championship in the search are as follow:
- Zero waste program through cut-and-drop-practice in every classroom, compost pit for biodegradable waste in every advisory garden.
- Eco-bank card - every student has this card to earn points for every waste convertible to a canteen product or snacks and even voluntary fees.
- Unified recycled drinking straw curtains in every classroom-valuing recycling.
- The remarkable decrease of our water and electrical consumption is an indicator of functional discipline in our school.
- Recognition of an advisory class every Monday as the most clean and eco-friendly classroom.
- Environmental day is practiced in our school a day of film showing on environmental related matters.
- Ecowalk a walk for a cause coupled with the quest for eco-famodel- family wearing environmental friendly attire walking on streets-inspiring the families on keeping our environment a better place to live in starts at the basic unit of the society- the family
- Kampo kalikasan an environmental camp for youth leaders.
- Zero waste program through cut-and-drop-practice in every classroom, compost pit for biodegradable waste in every advisory garden.
- Eco-bank card - every student has this card to earn points for every waste convertible to a canteen product or snacks and even voluntary fees.
- Unified recycled drinking straw curtains in every classroom-valuing recycling.
- The remarkable decrease of our water and electrical consumption is an indicator of functional discipline in our school.
- Recognition of an advisory class every Monday as the most clean and eco-friendly classroom.
- Environmental day is practiced in our school a day of film showing on environmental related matters.
- Ecowalk a walk for a cause coupled with the quest for eco-famodel- family wearing environmental friendly attire walking on streets-inspiring the families on keeping our environment a better place to live in starts at the basic unit of the society- the family
- Kampo kalikasan an environmental camp for youth leaders.
The 2017 National Search for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools sponsored by SMART Philippines, is pursuant to the National Environment Awareness and Education Act also known as Republic Act No. 9512.
On its fifth leg, this year, the search aims to recognize educational institutions from the elementary, high school and tertiary levels with the best sustainable and environment-friendly programs and activities. The Water Leadership Awards is a special award in the Search aimed at recognizing and promoting water management solutions and practices of schools.
The Search is hosted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) with partners in the private sector. There are a total of 48 public and private school-qualifiers to the national competition – 17 elementary schools, 17 high schools and 14 colleges.
On its fifth leg, this year, the search aims to recognize educational institutions from the elementary, high school and tertiary levels with the best sustainable and environment-friendly programs and activities. The Water Leadership Awards is a special award in the Search aimed at recognizing and promoting water management solutions and practices of schools.
The Search is hosted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) with partners in the private sector. There are a total of 48 public and private school-qualifiers to the national competition – 17 elementary schools, 17 high schools and 14 colleges.
