2 SWEEP schools advance in sustainable schools search

Two school partners under the Smart Wireless Engineering Education Program (SWEEP) have entered the finals of the National Search for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools.

Mariano Marcos State University in Batac, Ilocos Norte and Ateneo de Manila University are up against 10 other schools that won at the regional level and are now vying for the top prize at the college level during the culminating event on November 19 at the SM City North Edsa.

The top three winners proclaimed per level (elementary, high school and college) will receive cash prizes of P50,000, P40,000 and P30,000 for first, second and third place respectively and plaques of recognition.

“We are happy to support this initiative of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and education institutions which we hope will make environmental advocates out of our youth,” said Ramon R. Isberto, public affairs group head of Smart Communications, Inc. (SMART).

SMART is hosting the awarding ceremonies of the nationwide search organized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB), Department of Education (DepEd), and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to recognize academic institutions with exemplary environmental programs.  The event is timed with the celebration of National Environmental Awareness Month.

For the elementary level, the schools that made it to the finals are North Central Elementary School, Dagupan City, Pangasinan; Peñablanca East Central School, Peñablanca, Cagayan; Baliwag North Central School, Baliwag, Bulacan; Manghinao Elementary School, Bauan, Batangas; P.Garcia Memorial Elementary School in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro; Sunshine International School, Legazpi City, Albay; Ara-al Elementary School, La Carlota, Negros Occidental; Asia Elementary  School, Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental; Bantayan Central Elementary School, Bantayan Island, Cebu; Tongonan Kananga School for Excellence, Kananga, Leyte; Buenavista Elementary  School, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte; Marawer Elementary School, Kapatagan, Digos City, Davao del Sur; Cotabato City Central Pilot School, Cotabato City, Maguindanao; Badas Elementary School, Placer, Surigao del Norte; and Pembo Elementary School, Pembo, Makati City.

For the high school level, the competing schools are Don Bosco High School, Lagawe, Ifugao; Solsona National High School, Solsona, Ilocos Norte; Bukig National Agricultural and Technical School, Aparri, Cagayan; Alexis Santos High School, Bustos, Bulacan; Don Pedro Guevara High School, Sta. Cruz, Laguna; President Diosdado Macapagal Memorial National High School, Gloria, Oriental Mindoro; Camarines  Sur National High School, Naga City, Camarines Sur; La Castellana National High School, La Castellana, Negros Occidental; Malingin National High School, Daan Bantayan, Cebu; San Policarpio National High School, Calbayog City, Samar;  Sulangon National High School, Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte; Daniel Aguinaldo National High School, Davao City, Davao; Tampakan National High School, Tampakan, South Cotabato; Agusan National High School, Butuan City, Agusan del Norte; and Malabon National High School, Malabon City.

For the college level, the schools that made it are Benguet State University, La Trinidad, Benguet; Mariano Marcos State University, Batac, Ilocos Norte; St. Paul University of the Philippines, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan; Central Luzon State University, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija; De La Salle University, Dasmariñas, Cavite; Palawan State University, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan; Catanduanes State Colleges, Virac, Catanduanes; West Negros University, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental; St. Paul University, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental; Visayas State University, Baybay, Leyte; Davao Doctors College, Davao City, Davao; and Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights, Quezon City.

Aside from supporting the nationwide search for the "greenest" schools, SMART is also implementing a number of environment-friendly initiatives, including a nationwide reforestation program and the use of renewable energy sources in powering cell sites in remote locations under Kabalikat, its corporate social responsibility and community service program.