The province-wide Search for Model Schools in Solid Waste Management Implementation for both elementary and secondary schools is now underway with the launching conducted last June 26 by the Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO).
Nencita Acain, PEMO Environment Management Division Officer-in-Charge together with Environment Management Specialist Elbe Balucanag conducted the launching with DENR and DepED officials, MENROs and members of the evaluating team in attendance.
Acain gave the brief overview of the search, citing its main objective that is to give due recognition and likewise serve as reward and incentive to schools that implement “best practices” in solid waste management.
The search which is now on its 7th year, Acain added, has already produced one Hall of Fame awardee, Silway 8 National High School, for winning first place in 3 consecutive years from 2009 to 2011.
Balucanag meanwhile discussed the mechanics, evaluation indicators and prizes of the contest and also introduced the search evaluators to the participants.
PEMO and DepED decided to extend the deadline of submission of entry forms to July 20, due to the busy schedule of schools.
The unannounced evaluation is divided into initial and final phases and will employ the “window period” in evaluating schools.
The initial evaluation is scheduled from last week of July to first week of August while the final evaluation will be from last week of September to first week of October.
Judging will be based on the following criteria: System and Process – 60%; Organization and Support System – 30%; Cleanliness and Beautification – 5%; Community Participation – 5%.
Both the initial and final evaluations have 50 percentage points.
Board Member Ellen Grace Subere-Albios, SP Committee Chair on Environment, also attended the launching.
