THE DEPARTMENT of Education, in collaboration with the Biodiversity Conservation Society of the Philippines, launched the Samot-Saring Buhay: A toolkit on Philippine Biodiversity to impart appreciation and awareness of the country’s rich biodiversity.

Crafted to encourage participation and leadership of teachers and learners in conservation efforts, the toolkit provides information on Philippine biodiversity, threats, and conservation efforts.

“Recognizing the role of the youth as partners in nurturing and renewing Philippine diversity, we in the Department of Education hold responsibility to equip more learners with the appropriate learning and thinking skills that will enable them to become agents of change and advocates of biodiversity,” Education Secretary Leonor Briones said.

During its online launch, BCSP President Ranier Manalo stressed the need for “policy harmonization for conservation and sustainability needs.”

“This toolkit is for all of us,” Manalo said.

The toolkit will soon be available for free in various DepEd platforms like DepEd Commons, DepEd LMRDS, and Microsite on created resources for teaching climate change.

Education Undersecretaries Diosdado San Antonio and Alain Del Pascua shared their appreciation for the creation of the biodiversity toolkit for teachers.

“We are thankful that we have this toolkit so that our schools and teachers can help heighten our advocacy for quality education, for quality health, and quality life,” San Antonio said.

“In line with the Department of Education’s core value Makakalikasan, this tool kit, which has been put together by advocates for the Philippine environment from different agencies and organizations, is a way of ensuring the continued protection and conservation of our natural resources. We do this by empowering our Filipino youth thru education and appreciation of our country’s biodiversity,” Pascua said.

The production of the toolkit was spearheaded by the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service under the Administration Strand.