By Kristen Thea Lozada
Fourth-year Chemical Engineering students from CPU actively participated in DENR-WQMA’s water pollution prevention campaign at Oton Central Elementary School, October 24, 2025, educating students on water quality and pollution prevention.
Fourth-year Chemical Engineering (ChE) students from the Junior Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers-Central Philippine University (JPIChE-CPUC) brought energy and engagement to an Information and Education Campaign (IEC) on water pollution prevention at Oton Central Elementary School, October 24, 2025.
Organized by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) through the Water Quality Management Area (WQMA) Region VI, the event aimed to raise awareness to elementary students on water quality issues and ways to reduce sources of water pollution.
Dr. Rita Caigoy, School Principal III of Oton Central Elementary School, warmly welcomed the initiative and emphasized the importance of environmental education for young learners.
“Ang aton nga mga bisita may mga importante nga mga bagay nga ipabalo sa aton para in one way or another, ang inyo nga learnings na nabatian subong ma-apply man naton sa aton community,” she stated.
Ms. Menchie Paniergo, Head of the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) of Oton, also encouraged the students to value the experience.
“You (students) are all lucky nga kamo ginpa-attend because the majority of these things, you cannot learn inside your classrooms,” she said.
The event included short talks about water quality management areas (WQMA), Republic Act No. 9275, and ways to prevent pollution, all led by Engr. Catherine Moleta, EMS III.
Meanwhile, Ms. Rizza Daphet Catague, the focal person of DENR-EMB VI, delivered a talk on solid waste management and the agency’s “Adopt-an-Estero” Water Body Program.
4th-year Chemical Engineering students assisted throughout the activity, facilitating energizers and games for the participating elementary pupils.
“It is fulfilling to see the kids have fun with what we have prepared for them, but it is even more heartwarming that they were able to learn something out of the lecture as well. Instilling these values early, in their age, will make an impact on how they care for our water resources,” Mc Garaygay, 4th year ChE student, expressed.
Engr. John Marvin Malones and Engr. Sharon Rose Dumam-ag from the ChE faculty and Engr. Remgie Tiangson, Pollution Control Officer at Central Philippine University, also provided their support during the campaign.
Through games and activities, the ChE students helped elementary pupils to understand the importance of protecting water resources, starting within themselves and their communities.