Philippines: Catholic school prepares students to care for earth

A Catholic school run by the Franciscan Missionary of Mary (FMM) in Quezon City prepares students to care for the earth.

Stella Maris College, a Catholic and Franciscan school is committed to preparing its students to have an active involvement in current social and ecological issues.

One of the most pressing issues that the world is facing is the global climate emergency, and Pope Francis urges us to act fast on this,” said Alejo Coronel, a Student Affairs Coordinator.

“As our little participation to the different efforts around the world, High School Outreach Activity this year focuses on the value of ecological stewardship,” Coronel commented.

In coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Stella Maris College students and personnel went to Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area (LPPCHEA), near Manila for four Saturdays (Nov. 9, 16, Dec. 7, and Dec. 14, 2019) to do the activities such as coastal clean-up, mangrove planting, eco-tour/nature walk, and bird watching.

“Let us continue to take part in the healing of Mother Earth. Caring for the earth means caring for all,” said Sister Siony Jomen, a teacher.

As the world celebrates Earth Day today (April 22, 2022, RVA News asked a volunteer who recently took part in mangrove planting.

In early April, Jomer Sison, a former student of the Dominican-run University of Santo Tomas, and his friends went to Kabanatan (Resilience), an NGO that promotes the conservation of mangroves.

These plants mitigate the impacts of climate change by sequestering carbon dioxide brought from anthropogenic sources like the combustion of fossil fuels.

Moreover, conserving mangroves means safeguarding the coastal communities that are vulnerable to strong wave actions and typhoons.

“Mangroves are our superheroes and conserving them helps us to combat the climate crises,” he said.

With Kabanatan, Sison and others planted 500 mangroves and cleaned up Hagonoy Mangrove Sanctuary in Bulacan.

“Our thanks go to Kabanatan, their volunteers, and volunteers from One Child, One Tree, an NGO. Let’s keep on growing mangroves for our environment and people’s livelihood (fishing),” he added.