FOR its sustainability efforts, the De La Salle Lipa became the first academic institution in the Philippines to receive the internationally renowned STARS Silver Rating.

STARS means Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System, a self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance.

It is a program of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education that measures and encourages sustainability in all aspects of higher education.

“DLSL, pursuing the goal of ‘compliance with and certifiable by a global sustainability standard’ under its Strategic Direction to Create Sustainable Futures, aspired to adopt the STARS Program of AASHE to create a baseline for continuous improvement, generate fresh ideas for advocacy, and adopt sustainable, just and inclusive practices – by its students, faculty, parents and other stakeholders – to continuously take care of its side of the planet,” the school explained.

The university joined institutions such as Boston College and Boston University, University of Ottawa, Universidad de Monterey, and University of Toronto-Mississauga that also received the award.

Bro. Dante Jose Amisola FSC, DLSL president, said taking care of the planet and of progress that is not at the expense of the planet is very important.

“It is a progress of inclusive societies, which are essentially sustainable societies. It is a space where our children live in a world that is safe, inclusive, where growth is inclusive, where the planet is taken care of, and, where future generations are regarded in the decisions we make today,” Amisola said.