Tanauan School of Fisheries wins Project Citizen

MANILA, Philippines - Every time heavy rains come, residents of Tanauan, Batangas start to worry because the Ambulong River tends to overflow and cause flooding in the area. The situation is attributed mainly to informal settlers who occupy the seven-meter space of the riverbank, not only hindering water flow but also contributing to improper garbage disposal.

In an attempt to address the problem, high school students of the Tanauan School of Fisheries got together to push for reforms. They recommended the relocation of informal settlers, the building of rip-raps, as well as strict monitoring of the river to ensure that it is kept clean and free from encroachers.

The proposal got the school the top award in the Project Citizen National Competition participated in by schools from different localities, namely: Muntinlupa Science HS (NCR), Pines City National HS (Baguio), Tanauan School of Fisheries (Batangas), Tinago HS (Naga), Luisa Medel National HS (Bacolod), Tagbilaran City Science HS (Bohol), Davao City National HS (Davao), and Regional Science HS for Region IX (Zamboanga).

All the winners from the regional showcase presented their policy research to the public and to panels of evaluators composed of Leon Flores, chair of the National Youth Commission; Yolanda Quijano, former Department of Education undersecretary; Zen Dimalanta, program director for E-Media of ABS-CBN Foundation; Ferdinand Pingul, professor at UA&P; and Rob Nazal, head of corporate social responsibility, Globe Telecom.

Proposals included ways to stop computer addiction among students, how to prevent students from dropping out of school due to family problems, collection and transport of unsegregated garbage, waste management, and water clean up.

As a reward, the Tanauan School of Fisheries received information and communications technology tools from Globe Telecom, such as an LCD projector and Tattoo broadband sticks to aid teachers in developing in their students the necessary civic knowledge and values that would enable them to enjoy their rights and accept their responsibilities as citizens of the nation.

“Globe, through our i-Lead pillar, is dedicated to the establishment of peaceful, orderly and progressive communities through the advancement of good governance and excellence in public service. By empowering the youth to come up with practical solutions to problems that beset their schools and communities, we are also training them to become transformational leaders and active citizens,” said Nazal.

Project Citizen, an international initiative, was brought to the Philippines by the Philippine Center for Civic Education and Democracy with Globe as partner. It is an issues-centered civic education program for high school students that promotes competent and responsible participation in matters affecting local and national governments.