SOUTH COTABATO, 4 AUGUST —Environmental group BAN Toxics recently established cooperation with T’boli National High School in South Cotabato to adopt sound chemicals and wastes management in the school.

BAN Toxics Board of Trustees Chairman Mr. Augusto Cunanan and Principal Ruperto Pilapil of T’boli National High School signed a memorandum of agreement to formalize the partnership for the Toxics-Free Schools Program (TFSP) on August 4, 2018.

BAN Toxics, represented by Board of Trustees Chairman Augusto Cunanan (in orange) and T’boli National High School formalize partnership by signing the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the Toxics-Free Schools Program (TFSP).

“BAN Toxics is deeply grateful to T’boli National High School, especially to Principal
Ruperto Pilapil, for their support in our program. Through the partnership, children will learn at an early age the importance of properly managing wastes and chemicals,” Mr. Cunanan said.

The Toxics-Free Schools Program was established by BAN Toxics to increase awareness on the issue of toxic pollution in schools and homes. Moreover, the program seeks to promote safe and environment-friendly alternatives as well as engage the school and the community on proper sound chemicals and wastes management.

Principal Pilapil recognized the role of schools in commencing change in the community. For his part, he said, “As educators, we recognize that change in a community starts in school. We are enthusiastic in participating in the Toxics-Free Schools Program of BAN Toxics as it will benefit our beloved school and community. Thus, we pledge our full support for the TSFP as we work together towards a Toxics-Free T’boli National High School.”

T’boli National High School Principal Ruperto Pilapil welcomes teacher-participants during the Teachers’ Training

Teachers’ Training

“Paramount to this partnership is training the teachers to understand the relationship between chemicals and the society. By capacitating them, we aid them towards preventive action against toxic pollution,” added Mr. Cunanan.

BAN Toxics representatives capacitated the teachers on basic principles on chemicals management on August 3-4 and August 9-10, 2018. The training all in all provided the educators five (5) modules covering important topics on how toxics impact the society.

The teachers also provided inputs in an exercise wherein they were tasked to integrate chemicals management topics in classroom lessons and activities.

Green Steward Team

To ensure the sustainability of TFSP-led initiatives, the T’boli National High School also formed the ‘Green Steward Team’ (GST) through Principal Pilapil’s leadership. The GST comprises focal persons from the faculty to monitor TFSP integration in various subject areas in both Junior and Senior High School departments.

“Creating the Green Steward Team is our way of signifying our intent to make T’boli National High School a toxics-free school. The GST will make it their duty to guarantee that the TFSP advocacy will extend to the larger community,” explained Principal Pilapil.

Other duties of the Green Steward Team are to craft policies on waste management, greening program, pollution prevention, and resource conservation. Members will also serve as leaders in developing programs for the school’s ecotourism thrust.