Soaring to Higher Expectations: Children's Environmental Awareness

“We have great environmental laws. It’s the implementation of these laws that is the problem,” Asst. Professor Jeanette Yasol-Naval of University of the Philippines told her students in a lecture on Environmental Ethics.

In a wider perspective, the problem on implementation might have rooted from the citizen’s lack of awareness. It seems as if environmental problems have been taken for granted. This is easy to notice as it is often overshadowed by other national concerns.

But like the way Philippine national teams invest on their grassroots program to enhance the quality of athletes competing abroad, the same should be done to promote awareness in this issue.

Mayor Jose Enrique Garcia III of Balanga City, Bataan had that idea in mind when he led the municipality in celebrating the 3^rd Ibong Dayo Festival last December 6, 2012. He said, “This festival is really for our children. If they are environmentally-friendly children, once they grow older they can understand why we have certain policies and certain policies and laws with regards to nature, to conservation, and to cleanliness in the city.”

Aside from a sudden weekday trip to Bataan, nothing could be more pleasing to the ears than the affirming words of Mayor Garcia. It is important for an environmental advocate like me to know that the youth is being educated about these issues.

And surprisingly, my expectations were greatly surpassed.

Though children are usually more interested to wander around places far away from their hometown, my eyes witnessed a rare gape of youthful enthusiasm and affirming curiosity from the young locals of Bataan.

The city prides itself for being tagged as having the most number of migratory water birds in the country by the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines. The government uses this advantage to catch the interest if youngsters about the environment.  This is why the whole day festivity held at the Balanga City Wetland and Nature Park catered to the amusement of bird watching enthusiasts and locals alike.

While journeying to the venue, everything seemed typical. It was business as usual at the heart of the city. As we reached the residential alleyways in the Eastern-most part, some dwellers gazed in pleasure as the bus turned the tight corners heading to the park with ease. No matter how unlikely that is with its size, everything seemed to be normal. It did, until the arrival at the park.

Being wanderlust myself, not once did I witness such fervor from the youth about loving the special treasures of their homeland. More than the shining prowess of the sun, the children’s radiating smiles exudes their lively demeanor. Their energy electrified the park’s gallery as they push their way through a crowd of mere spectators. Each piece of work hanging in the white unblemished walls was striking in its own delicate and youthful artistry, but the innocent yet inquisitive faces of the students made it more meaningful.

It all seemed to be surreal. But as I continue to immerse myself with them, it slowly became more realistic as the children unconsciously gave me signs of hope.

The youngsters were impeccably enthusiastic as they participate in activities related to bird watching – bird coloring, bird-kite flying, face painting, draw-a-bird, bird watching, and origami making. For decades, it has been a struggle for environmentalists to elevate the passion and interest of the populace to aid in conserving nature. But there it was, a relatively new bird watching festival surrounded with the children who are actively interacting with nature. To witness such fervor with my own eyes reassured my inner hesitancy and doubts – that environmentally, the Philippines will at least be in good hands in the next two decade.

Is this real? Do these attentive kids really understand the meaning of this festival? Or is their enthusiasm merely a result for escaping a typical school day in a classroom?

These inquiries were soon answered as I strolled around the vicinity. This was more than just a fad. The children in the park knew what they were into, and they understand what it was supposed to be. It was their active participation in the fun activities that affirmed my observation – they are environmentally aware of what is going on. It was having fun while learning that made it easier for them to understand it.

The trip was certainly a treat for an environmentalist and wanderlust – because in that journey, I got a flicker of optimism. There is still hope for environmental awareness and sustainability to prosper, and someday implementation of our laws will no longer be a problem.

(P.S.: This is the first article requirement for J 195)