SUSG gathers local youth leaders for the environment

SU Student Government Environment Committee members with the resource speakers during the summit: (L-R, starting with the 4th from the left) Atty. Jose “Petit” Baldado, Dumaguete City Council’s Committee on Environment chair; Merci Ferrer, zero-waste champion and expert; Dr. Betty Cernol McCann, SU president; Dr. Jorge Emmanuel, a Balik Scientist of the Department of Science and Technology and former chief technical advisor at the United Nations Development Program; and Atty. Florin Hilbay, SU College of Law dean and former Solicitor-General.

The Silliman University Student Government (SUSG) Environment Committee gathered environmental youth leaders at the Dumaguete Young Environmental Leaders’ Summit 2022, which led to the formation of a network that will help in local environmental initiatives.

The Summit, held December 3, 2022 at the Justice Venancio D. Aldecoa Moot Court, was attended by environmental youth leaders from organizations, schools, and universities in Dumaguete City.

The attendees agreed during the summit to form a network that will help conserve, protect, and restore the environment of Dumaguete City and Negros Oriental, and help address local environmental issues.

The SUSG invited the following, who served as resource speakers for the summit: Atty. Florin Hilbay, SU College of Law dean and former Solicitor-General; Dr. Betty Cernol McCann, SU president; Merci Ferrer, zero-waste champion and expert; and Dr. Jorge Emmanuel, a Balik Scientist of the Department of Science and Technology and former chief technical advisor at the  United Nations Development Program.

Atty. Jose “Petit” Baldado, Dumaguete City Council’s Committee on Environment chair, attended the summit and pledged support to the network.

Around 70 representatives from the following organizations attended: Student governments of Negros Maritime College Foundation, Negros Oriental State University, and STI College; Dumaguete Young Theatres Advocates; 4H-Club of Dumaguete; Cuernos de Negros Mountaineers Club Inc.; SUSG Student Assembly; SU Divinity School Student Assembly; League of Governors; The Weekly Sillimanian and other academic and non-academic organizations.

(With reports from the SUSG Environment Committee; Photos from the SUSG Environment Committee)

Attendees, speakers, and members of the SU Student Government make the “zero waste” hand gesture for their group photo after the Dumaguete Young Environmental Leaders’ Summit 2022.

Dr. Jorge Emmanuel presents the environmental issues in Dumaguete City.