Rufino G. Palabrica Sr.
National High School has been recognized as an Outstanding
Implementer in the Schools Division of Iloilo for regularly modeling good implementation
of the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene in Schools (WASH-in-Schools) Program. The
school supports the program's objective of providing a secure and conducive learning
environment for students so that they may engage and learn in the best possible way.
Now, the challenge for the school is how to sustain its current standing or even strive to
improve the program after several years of dominance. One approach to overcoming
this is to turn to a number of innovations that will further draw attention to the school's
reputation as one of the program's best implementers. With this, Rufino G. Palabrica Sr.
National High School has opted to adopt Green Rufino: A Zero Waste Movement in
order to make the school a model for a smart environment that exemplifies Zero Waste
ideals in the society.
Zero waste is a concept that aims to minimize or eliminate the amount of waste
generated by individuals, businesses, and communities. While the concept of zero
waste is gaining popularity in several regions of the Philippines, it is not widely known in
our community. Hence, adopting a zero waste campaign proven to be relatively
challenging for the school, which required the assistance of its stakeholders.
Involving stakeholders such as parents, teachers, students and community members in
decision-making processes can lead to more informed, thoughtful decisions that take
into account a variety of perspectives. Stakeholders may provide unique insights into
the school's problems and potential solutions. Working with them can assist in
identifying and addressing these concerns in a more comprehensive manner.
NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations) can be important stakeholders of a school,
they often have expertise in specific areas such as teacher training, curriculum
development, and educational technology. This expertise can be invaluable in helping
the school to improve its educational programs.
Through their Zero Waste Academy, Mother Foundation and GAIA Philippines and the
school collaborated on the implementation of the zero waste program in order to provide
program implementers with the information and abilities they need.
Mother Earth Foundation (MEF) is a non-stock, non-profit organization actively engaged
in addressing waste and toxic pollution, climate change, and other health and
environmental justice issues. It is best known for its advocacy of Zero Waste through
the systematic reduction and proper management of waste. On the other hand, the
Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) is a worldwide alliance of more than
800 grassroots groups, non-governmental organizations, and individuals in over 90
countries whose ultimate vision is a just, toxic-free world without incineration. Both
organizations help local governments implement Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological
Solid Waste Management Act of 2000. Many of the communities and LGUs the MEF
has trained have gained recognition as models of ecological waste management,
winning various national, regional, and distinct awards- which program implementers
hoped Rufino G. Palabrica Sr. National High School will become in the future.
