The Youth Desk Officers (YDOs) of CENRO Sta. Cruz in collaboration with the Information Officers (IOs) conducted a Communication, Education, and Public Awareness (CEPA) activity to the students of Duhat Elementary School in Brgy. Duhat, Sta. Cruz, Laguna in celebration of the National Day of Youth in Climate Action.

Through this activity, CENRO Sta. Cruz aims to strengthen and empower the youth in raising public consciousness on the science of climate change and on ways to lead a climate-resilient and climate-smart lifestyle.

The lecture focused on Republic Act (RA) No. 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management of 2000 wherein topics about waste management which includes sources of waste, its effect to the environment, and other provisions of RA 9003 were presented. The importance of youth in environmental conservation through proper solid waste management was incorporated in the waste segregation, the 3Rs (Reuse, Reduce, Recycle) and Avoidance, and composting. Also, the different activities of DENR Laguna in relation to solid waste management were also highlighted specifically the Manila Bay Rehabilitation program such as the daily clean-up activities of hired River Rangers (RRs), and Ecological Garden. These were emphasized since wastes from the said school can be recycled and used for composting. 

Moreover, a supplementary lecture which focused on the proper way of planting trees was demonstrated, in line with the conduct of simultaneous tree planting activity of the Department of Education (DepEd) to be held in December. 

At the end of the activity, CEPA materials such as ballpoint pens with DENR logo and tumblers with infographics pertaining to Manila Bay Rehabilitation project to further disseminate the activities of the department were given to the students.

A total of 40 grade six students composed of 20 males and 20 females participated in the activity.###