LSU Ozamiz joins ‘No to Styro’ campaign

OZAMIZ CITY--To raise consciousness and to concretely implement initiatives as to care for the environment, La Salle University (LSU) Ozamiz City joins nationwide launching on Project Carbon Neutral (PCN) 'No to Styro’ Campaign, Wednesday, November 17.

In a round table discussion, participated by business, academe, non-governmental organization, environmentalist, Local government units (LGU’s) and the media, Lito Real, coordinator, Science department talks on the ill-effects of using Styrofoam.

He said, physicians are increasingly concerned with the effects of eating from Styrofoam containers. Scientists have found that when hot food or beverages are placed in polystyrene containers, the styrene chemicals leech from the containers into the food and then into your body. Over time, this can lead to reproductive issues or even cancer.

Saying that her administration’s concerns include environmental protection and preservation, Ozamiz City mayor Nova Princess Parojinog-Echavez vows to support LSU’s campaign.

Unanimously, the business, academe, non-governmental organization, environmentalist, Local government units (LGU’s) and the media sectors, affirm their support on environmental protections specially on banning the use of Styrofoam.

A proposed resolution of banning the use of Styrofoam in any food establishment, public market, commercial complex, public transport and house hold passed during the discussion and it was also unanimously supported.

The resolution also stated that on December 2009 some barangays in Ozamiz City were flooded that cause great devastation to the properties that paralyzed operations of schools and university including business establishments due to garbage that clogged up in some canals and creeks of the city.

By the implementation of the said resolution it will also lessen the cost and labor in collecting and transporting the garbage from the city to the dumping site.
The resolution also cited the Republic Act 9729 also known as the Climate Change Act of 2009 where LGUs are mandated to coordinate with private entities to address vulnerability to climate change impacts of regions, provinces, cities and municipalities.
The said resolution describes Styrofoam as weapon of mass destruction (WMD) due its hazardous effects to the environment and to the human health.

As part of the nationwide launching, LSU also conducts an Essay writing contest anchored by the theme ‘Advocating a Styro-free-campus’.

A one hour black-out also observes in all LSU campuses.

As mode of transportation of the LSU family, they also make use of one day riding a tricycle, bicycle or by walking signifying their support to the campaign dedicated for the environmental protection.
Parts also of the activities are the massive Styrofoam materials disposal and tree planting.

Br. Allan Beunavista, FSC, specialized schools director and Br. Jaime Dalumpines, FSC, LSU president thank the different sectors, N GO and the LGU Ozamiz in supporting their endeavor for the protection of the environment.

LSU Ozamiz is part of the seventeen Lasallian Institutions, in partnership with the Lasallian Institute for the Environment (LIFE), spearheaded the PCN which aims to decrease emission of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere that cause global warming and climate change. Its primary objective is to inculcate the values of energy and resource efficiency to the students, faculty, and staff. The project indeed aims that each La Salle school achieves Carbon Neutrality – to have a net zero carbon footprint.

PCN will be done by measuring the greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide, emitted by each Lasallian institution by carbon footprint. Mitigation efforts, like the trees planted by each school in the conduct of the One Million Trees and Beyond project, will be measured to offset the hazardous emissions. Energy efficiency measures will also be considered to identify the carbon emissions vis-à-vis carbon offsets (mitigations).

PCN is one of the big projects of the De La Salle Philippines to elevate awareness and tangibility execute scheme as they care for the environment. (NEPTALIE BATOLENIO)