Project CoCo empowers youth for environmental action

In a world where people seek sustainability while nature struggles for survival, the chance for true coexistence—without harming the latter—remains deeply uncertain.

Human dependence on natural resources has led to environmental neglect, with many failing to recognize nature’s vulnerability, resulting in widespread indifference.

To address this, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through its Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) in Aklan, launched Project CoCo (Collect and Connect): Collect Seedlings to Connect to Nature Year 3.

The project encourages youth to help protect the environment by collecting seedlings in exchange for essential school supplies such as bags, crayons, notebooks, and scissors.

Aligned with the June class opening, Project CoCo kicked off its campaign on June 5, 2025, at Medina Integrated School (MIS), located in Brgy. Medina, Madalag, Aklan.

The barangay is part of the Aklan River Watershed Forest Reserve, a designated protected area in the province.

Seventy-five students from MIS were selected as beneficiaries of the project.

By the second phase on June 11, 2025, the project had collected a total of 25,491 wildlings from indigenous and fruit-bearing trees, including narra, langka, rambutan, and banai-banai.

The seedlings were wrapped using the mud-packing technique to increase survival rates.

They were later transported to the Mechanized and Modernized Forest Nursery in Jawili, Tangalan, Aklan for potting and nurturing, and then distributed to stakeholders for future planting activities.

“The project has once again proven to be a groundbreaking innovation in raising environmental awareness and improving educational opportunities for the youth,” said DENR Region 6 Regional Executive Director Raul L. Lorilla.

“We at the DENR commend this type of innovation and youth involvement, because we believe the youth are the hope of our future and the key to environmental sustainability,” he added.

The continued commitment to preserving nature extends its benefits and ensures sustainability for future generations.

It restores not only the ecological roots that stabilize the earth but also the roots of knowledge that secure the future of environmental stewardship.

The creative minds behind such efforts help safeguard vegetation and protect endangered species.