Who says the Palarong Pambansa is all about play?

                In its aim to instill the values of discipline, responsibility and environmental consciousness, the region’s delegation to the 2015 Palarong Pambansa in Tagum City, Davao Del Norte adhered to the call of the Department of Education (DepEd) to institute Executive Order No. 26, s. 2014 or the National Greening Program.

                The delegation started some innovative approaches in recycling and maintenance of cleanliness of their billeting area. Likewise, conservation of water and banning the use of styrofoam and other plastic materials were implemented.

                Solid Waste Management and the integration of the Gulayan sa Paaralan were also reiterated pursuant to DepEd Order No. 5, s. 2014.

                According to the delegation’s clean, green, and eco-friendly committee chairperson Angele K. Apopot, they have already planted vegetables like pechay and egg plants on an identified portion of the school as well as the use of plastic bottles as pots.

                “The seedlings were provided by the host school as well as Tagum City’s agriculture department. This effort was done in partnership with them,” said Apopot.

                 The chairperson added that a daily search for the cleanest, greenest, and eco-friendliest team also kicked-off with winning teams receiving special prizes.

                “The search also includes the recognition of the most disciplined group in the delegation. This will motivate them to help out in our efforts to make our billeting areas, namely La Filipina Elementary School and La Filipina National High School, more conducive during our stay,” Apopot said.

                As a highlight of the clean and green activities, around 30 trees were planted within the host schools’ vicinity by officials, coaches, and athletes last Thursday.

                “The tree seedlings mostly molave, bitanghol, and dau, were provided by the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) of the Province of Davao Del Norte,” added the committee’s co-chairperson Marcelo Talamayan.

                The collective effort of the delegates from the Cordillera was dubbed as La Presa Garden, after a popular television series.

                “We named the portion of our ‘gulayan’ as La Presa so as to inspire more the athletes and coaches in helping and learning from this initiative,” said Talamayan.

                Coaches and athletes help out in the putting up and maintenance of the garden during their training breaks.

                As incentive to supportive delegations, The DepEd will give four recognition awards at the end of the Palaro, specifically, Most Disciplied Delegation, Most Organized Delegation, Best Billeting Area, and Cleanest, Greenest and Eco-friendliest Delegation.

                In last year’s Palaro in Laguna, the region garnered second place in the Most Organized category. – Georaloy I. Palao-ay