On September 12, 2024, La Consolacion College Bacolod hosted a monitoring visit by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) Western Visayas, led by Rabbie Chris Carvajal, Chief of the Environmental Education and Information Unit. The visit aimed to assess the status of LCCB’s Institutional Environmental Advocacy Program (IEAP) as part of the documentation for the Search for Sustainable and Eco-friendly Schools. The evaluation also examined how the college’s environmental programs have adapted to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sr. Flolyn Catungal, OSA, President of LCCB, emphasized the college’s deep commitment to environmental sustainability by integrating strict policies and practical initiatives, aligned with the principles of Laudato Si’. A key focus of this commitment is the institution’s rigorous enforcement of its Zero Single-Use Plastic Policy, ensuring that no disposable plastic products are used on campus. Sr. Catungal explained that this policy is part of LCCB’s broader mission to reduce plastic waste and foster a culture of environmental consciousness among students, faculty, and staff. She further underscored that the college actively integrates Laudato Si’ in its instruction, encouraging a deeper reflection on ecological ethics and the shared responsibility to care for our common home.
In addition, Sr. Jonilyn Florentino, Head of Physical Plant and General Services, presented LCCB’s comprehensive energy conservation policies. These include not only infrastructural improvements—such as transitioning to energy-efficient lighting and air-conditioning systems and the installation of solar panels to reduce reliance on high-carbon emitting energy sources—but also a focus on instilling lasting behavioral changes. Through the promotion of environmental awareness in daily operations and instruction, the institution strives to minimize its carbon footprint, embodying the spirit of Laudato Si’ in both policy and practice.
Adding to the institution’s sustainability efforts, John Louie Salvarino, Officer-in-Charge of Buildings and Grounds, shared details about LCCB’s innovative Plastic Recycling Project, a partnership with Subay Marketing Incorporated. Subay is successfully transforming plastic waste from the campus and communities into recycled products, significantly reducing the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills or the environment.
Leonardo Gella, Focal Person for Technical and Engineering Maintenance, discussed LCCB’s stringent chemical disposal protocols and air pollution control policies. He outlined the college’s air pollution control measures, which include ensuring compliance with emission standards and reducing vehicle pollution through strict campus regulations.
In addition to solid waste and pollution control measures, Bernadette T. Tupas, NSTP/IEAP Coordinator, highlighted LCCB’s community-based environmental projects, which focus on reforestation and mangrove planting. These initiatives are conducted in partnership with the Local Government Unit of Bago City and an indigenous people’s community in Barangay Kumaliskis, Don Salvador Benedicto. The reforestation and mangrove planting projects aim to restore critical ecosystems, increase biodiversity, and engage the local communities in sustainable environmental practices. Mrs. Tupas emphasized that these activities not only contribute to environmental conservation but also strengthen partnerships between LCCB and local communities, fostering a sense of shared responsibility for environmental stewardship.
Another highlight of the visit was LCCB’s extensive solid waste management program, which integrates research, community partnerships, and innovative environmental policies. Rodjhun B. Navarro, Vice President for Research, Innovations, and Linkages, presented the college’s research initiatives in collaboration with local and international partners. He emphasized ongoing studies sponsored by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) focused on marine litter with fisherfolk communities in Barangay
Singcang-Airport and Barangay 35. This research seeks to understand the sources and impacts of marine debris and develop localized solutions to reduce plastic waste in coastal areas.
Additionally, Navarro highlighted the work being done with women in the informal waste sector in Barangay Felisa, focusing on empowering these women through better waste management practices and alternative livelihoods as part of the high-impact Plastic Leakage Assessment, a project conducted in partnership with the German Development Cooperation (GIZ), the University of Kassel in Germany, and the University of St. La Salle in Bacolod City. This research, undertaken in close coordination with the Bacolod City Local Government Unit through the Bacolod Environment and Natural Resources Office (BENRO), aims to track and mitigate plastic waste leakage into the environment. The findings are expected to inform future policy directions on waste
management and provide data to develop sustainable solutions for the city.
The DENR-EMB team commended LCCB’s comprehensive approach to environmental sustainability, with Carvajal expressing admiration for the college’s efforts to integrate research, community engagement, and policy development into its IEAP.
During the visit, Carvajal hinted at the re-launch of the Search for Sustainable and Eco-friendly Schools in 2025, encouraging LCCB to continue its exemplary work and remain at the forefront of sustainability initiatives.
Through its diverse and impactful environmental programs, La Consolacion College Bacolod continues to position itself as a leader in sustainability in the region. The college’s ongoing commitment to integrating sustainability into its policies, operations, and community outreach ensures that it remains a model for other institutions striving for a greener, more sustainable future.