'Sailing schools' to teach youth on marine environmental protection

MANILA, Philippines - Ramon Magsaysay awardee Antonio Oposa will launch next month the “sailing schools” which aim to teach Filipino youth about marine environmental protection.

Oposa, a lawyer and environmental activist, said they transform sailboats into informal classrooms which will go around several islands to teach kids on how to protect marine environment.

“We will go around the country and talk to kids (about marine environmental protection),” Oposa said in his speech during the 77th general membership assembly of the National Research Council of the Philippines at the Manila Hotel yesterday.

Oposa said they would also formally inaugurate the School of the SEAs (Sea and Earth Advocates), a non-profit, experiential learning center that has already trained more than 5,000 people in environmental awareness and sustainable living.

Oposa is a recipient of the 2009 Ramon Magsaysay award.

He was recognized for “pathbreaking and passionate crusade to engage Filipinos in acts of enlightened citizenship that maximize the power of law to protect and nurture the environment for themselves, their children and generations still to come.”

Meanwhile, Oposa urged all candidates in the May 10 elections to include environment in their priority programs. — Helen M. Flores