Students to sustain a Greener Tibag High School through YES-O

By King Cyrus Tiqui

School Based Co-Curricular

Youth for Environment Organization

(YES-O) conducted different activities in October to November 2022 to promote the conservation of the environment for future generations involving DepEd’s Makakalikasan Core Values and the Republic Act No. 9152 otherwise known as National Environmental Awareness and Education Act of 2008.

To comply with the school’s project and activity initiated by the YES-O focal person, Ma’am Rosemarie Itum, in coordination with class officers, each section generously donated and planted vegetable plants for the THS Garden. Harvested from these can be used in the Feeding Program of the school. In addition, YES-O conducted clean-up drives, training workshops, and useful projects such as drip irrigation that is used for the gulayan sa paaralan.

Yes-O administered activities and helped school caretakers monitor the plants given by the students. YES-O also emphasized that its aim is to share that the shade of trees can provide a useful barrier to harmful ultraviolet radiation.

Activities were initiated to promote a greener Tibag High School, and can help learners understand that making a simple act can lead to something bigger and more beautiful.

According to YES-O Officers, it’s not just the physical health that is promoted, our mental health also benefits when we are surrounded by trees or any nature-based activities. Furthermore, stress and depression levels can be reduced when we’re active.

SCI-EDITORIAL

Masking,voluntarynotobligatory

With the COVID-19 concerns receding, wearing of face masks is no longer obligatory, rather optional after Pres. Ferdinand “BongBong” Marcos issued an executive order allowing people to voluntarily use face masks especially on ventilated areas.

Days after the mandate, The Department of Education consulted the Department of Health and backed the decision of PBBM on the liberalization of wearing face masks even among students provided that schools still implement minimum public health standards relevant to the COVID-19 to safeguard the learners especially on indoor activities.

Tibag High School is one of the schools that still require face masks while entering the school vicinity. Some students and staff complain about the continuous wearing of face masks due to the inconvenience it brings especially while inside the classrooms; while some, favors the policy because masking has become their identity – they feel safe and committed to protect the most vulnerable like unvaccinated fellow, people with comorbidities, and those who are in the old age.

In addition, Senator.Bong Go, chairman of the Senate committee on health urged the public, especially students, to still wear a mask for protection as the virus recedes, but still remains. Other parents also encourage their children to keep their masks on whenever leaving home for their safety.

Some may not be aware, but the EO still requires facemasks to be worn indoor, private or public establishments, including public transportation by land, air or sea and in outdoor settings where physical distance cannot be maintained.

Although it is optional to wear a mask we should not be complacent because the COVID-19 virus still remains in our country. As a student, we can help stop the spread of the virus by simply wearing facemasks and following the guidelines of our school and community.

The pandemic reshaped our lives and affected us in many ways we never imagined. Wearing a facemask does not restrict us from freedom;rather, it helps us regain our freedom by reducing virus transmission. Applying stringent precautionary measures such as handwashing, wearing of face masks, and physical distancing could go an extra mile in protecting ourselves and others, too. After all, prevention is always better than cure.