Groups Foster Awareness and Action Towards a Healthy and Safe Learning Environment

9 June 2025, Quezon City.  Civil society groups highlighted the importance of being aware of the potential risks from chemicals and waste in the school environment and the need to mitigate, if not eliminate, these risks effectively as the annual National Schools Maintenance Week, also known as the Brigada Eskwela, goes in full swing.

In solidarity with the Department of Education (DepEd)-led program, the EcoWaste Coalition and the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health – Center for Research and Innovation (ACRI) partnered with the Pinyahan Elementary School in Quezon City for timely advocacy.  The groups volunteered their energy not only to help with the eco-friendly cleanup, but also in promoting awareness and action on chemical and waste concerns in the school setting.

Schools Division Office-Quezon City gave approval to the advocacy as proposed by the EcoWaste Coalition.  “We believe that this advocacy event will play a significant role in educating both students and the community about adopting practices towards a cleaner and healthier environment,” wrote Carleen Sedilla, Schools Division Superintendent.

During the parade in Barangay Pinyahan, volunteers held banners and placards calling for zero waste resource management, plastic pollution avoidance, marine litter prevention, and a lead-safe environment.

At the actual cleanup, volunteers gave wooden armchairs a fresh coat of lead-safe paints courtesy of the Pacific Paint (Boysen) Philippines, Inc.

Speaking at the kick-off program, Anna Enriquez, Advocacy Lead of ACRI-Environmental Health Program, pointed out that “protecting children from hazardous chemicals is a serious matter as they are more vulnerable to being affected by these substances due to their developing bodies and age-linked behaviors,” adding “malnourished kids and those with pre-existing health conditions are notably at risk.”

For his part, Cris Luague, Zero Waste Campaigner, EcoWaste Coalition, drew attention to the vital role of schools in promoting zero waste in theory and practice.  “Our schools play an indispensable role in instilling environmental responsibility among students, especially in inculcating values and actions in young minds that conserve resources and avoid waste and pollution,” he said.

“As required by DepEd through Order. No. 5-2014, many of our schools have integrated ecological solid waste management in their operations, including adopting waste prevention regulations like disallowing plastic water bottles and other single-use plastics, implementing waste segregation, recycling and composting, and becoming an environmental model that inspires the broader community,” he added.

Like other facilities, schools use a variety of chemicals for cleaning and sanitation, painting and renovation, pest control and management, and also for educational opportunities like art classes and science laboratories. Lighting products and electrical and electronic equipment, particularly after the end-of-life, may also pose chemical risks, and hence the need to nurture chemical safety awareness and action among teachers, students and the rest of the community to minimize health and environmental impacts.

As emphasized in the educator’s guide published by ACRI and the EcoWaste Coalition: “Classrooms are vital spaces that significantly influence the health, development, and well-being of children.  Ensuring these environments are free from chemical hazards is essential to safeguard students’ health and foster a conducive learning atmosphere.”

As the Brigada Eskwela is conducted nationwide, the groups also reminded schools to steer clear of hazardous products that have been banned by the authorities to protect human health and the environment such as lead-containing paints (banned by DENR under A.O. 2013-24) and  chlorpyrifos and dichlorvos as active ingredients in household/urban pesticides (banned by FDA under Circular No. 2018-008), as well as polluting practices such as open dumping and burning prohibited under Republic Act No. 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, and Republic Act 8749, or the Clean Air Act.

For this year’s Brigada Eskwela, the EcoWaste Coalition will participate and/or extend support to Bagong Silangan Elementary School and Pinyahan Elementary School in Quezon City, Nagpayong High School in Pasig City, Nagbalayong National High School in Morong, Bataan, and the Paaralang Pag-ibig at Pag-asa Integrated School in San Pablo City, Laguna.

References:

https://www.deped.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/DM_s2025_042.pdf

https://www.deped.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/DO_s2014_05.pdf

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dyqmpTs3FhFyqnPnB_pTRYL91_guM62O/view

https://www.fda.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/FDA-Circular-No.-2018-008.pdf

https://chemical.emb.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/DAO-2013-24-CCO-Lead.pdf