Students and non-teaching personnel from various schools in Ilocos Norte joined the global Earth Day celebration on Wednesday, organizing a series of activities to promote environmental awareness and sustainability.

At the Salanap Elementary School in Pinili town, school principal Aileen Rambaud encouraged the learners to sustain the school’s “green pride.”

“Every month, we come together to keep our school and surroundings clean, safe, and beautiful,” she said in an interview on Wednesday, adding that they also have a tree-growing and gardening program in the school compound, along with a vermicomposting facility to sustain their plants, mainly fruits and vegetables.

Moreover, the school has been producing vermicast (organic fertilizer) not only to sustain its growing school garden but also for sale to outsiders to promote healthy soil.

Other schools in the province are also celebrating Earth Day, organizing activities, such as clean-up drives and waste management promotion throughout the day.

Organizers said school non-teaching personnel were mobilized to observe the celebration in support of the Department of Education’s key initiatives, such as community immersion and environmental engagement.

Through this initiative, public schools in the province reaffirm their dedication to environmental stewardship, inspiring students to become responsible citizens and proactive advocates for a healthy planet. (PNA)