ECO POPULI (PHILIPPINES)

 

 

ECO POPULI, Incorporated, is a non-stock and non-profit organization founded and established in Iloilo City Philippines. It is composed of professionals and students from different universities and colleges around Iloilo City. School-based chapters were established to promote our objectives and one is education. Environmental education provides knowledge that nurtures the mind of every individual to be environmentally aware and give importance on nature conservation, preservation, and protection.İ Every school chapter has their individual activities supervised by the mother organization. Today, we have created four (4) school-based chapters since the formation of the organization in the year 1996 and came up on more than two hundred (200) members.

 

OUR GOALS

 

…      To preserve and protect the natural environment for a sustainable future.

 

…      To help educate people about nature conservancy.

 

…      To provide activities that will nurture inherent potentials and abilities of every member.

 

OUR VISION

 

A balance and sustainable environment preserved and protected by a community of persons of faith and character, wisdom and skills, living harmoniously despite their diversity, country and fellowmen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2003 ACTIVITIES

 

 

It was on the 18th until 19th day of the month of January when we first visited Brgy. Barasalon in the town of Janiuay (Iloilo). We climbed a mountain and crossed the river several times just to reach the place. Our main objective is to have a survey on the area and the community. The native of the barangay gave us a warm welcome. They are very much hospitable and gave us a shelter where we stayed overnight. On our first day, we visited the cave which is located on their area. On the following day, the group conducted a community clean-up. Then during the Barangay Assembly, Evan Sumido was invited to have a speech in front of the people. He discussed the purpose of the visit and about the future plans of the organization for the barangay. A barangay is a small unit of community which made up the town.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 22 when we conducted a coastal clean-up at Barangay Alegre in Oton (Iloilo). Our main purpose is to promote awareness for a clean, preserved and healthy coastal life. We have coordinated the barangay council and they supported us on our activity. The group again repeated the clean-up during the International Coastal Clean-Up Day last September 20.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HOLY WEEK, April 18-19. The group climbed ìBalaan Bukidî (Holy Mountain) which is located in the province of Guimaras. It was a Good Friday afternoon when we climbed the mountain. People in the province of Iloilo and Guimaras usually perform their traditional ìWay of the Crossî during the Holy Week. And for the community around the mountain, it is also the time when they can earn something by selling and putting up food stalls along the trail. But it was so sad for us because people donít really perform the right ìway of the crossî. Itís because we can see scattered empty mineral water containers, candy wrappers, and other plastic made food wrappers along the trail. The mountain was looked like a mountain of garbage and trashes. The group started to conduct a clean-up in the late afternoon of Good Friday. Then we slept just in the tents and some inside the chapel at the peak of the mountain during the night. Then on the following day, the group continued cleaning up the trail. Actually days before the Holy Week, the group has already put up black bags or trash bags along the trail. It is also our yearly activity to clean the ìBalaan Bukidî.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EARTH DAY, April 22. The mother club conducted an Earth Day dialogue. It was attended by members from our different school-based chapters. The topic discussed was about ozone layer. The objective there is to provide information and education about the present condition of our ozone layer. It was also the time for realization.

 

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Basic Outdoor Training, it was on the 9th until 11th of May.İ It was held at Brgy. Mali-ao in the town of Leon (Iloilo). The mother club conducted training on its members. The objective there is to enhance the skills of every member in outdoor activities. It is usual for us to conduct an outdoor activity that is why it is very much important for us to be equipped with full knowledge and enhanced skills in everything that we do. During that training, we also visited the Imoy Falls at Barangay Camandag.

 

 

World Environment Day, June 5. The group joined the parade with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) employees, other government agencies, private sectors, youths, and other environmental organizations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tree Planting and Caving, August 2-3. The group went to ìBulabog Puti-anî in Dingle (Iloilo). It was already dark when we took our trip going there. We stayed our night in a rest house and conducted our orientation activity for our new members. On the following day, the group had a tree planting activity and followed the caving in different caves in the area. It was a fun activity for all the members. We were guided by certain guides when we entered the caves although some of us are already familiar of the place.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On that same date when our University of San Agustin and St. Paul chapters had their acquaintance party in Brgy. Mali-ao, Leon. It was a get-together activity of the two chapters.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10th of August when the group conducted the ìKinamot Sagbotî, a clean-up drive along the streets of Iloilo City.

 

On the 24th of the same month, the organization had the ECO POPULI Mini Olympics. It was held at Brgy. Alegre in Oton. It was participated by all chapters. It was full of fun and also served as a get-together of all chapters. Unusual games were created but still they have a purpose. Eco Populi created this activity as a physical and mental development program for our members.

 

September, International Month for the Preservation of Ozone Layer. We have our educational campaign for the preservation of the ozone layer. Posters with facts about the ozone layer were posted. Education is one of our goals to fulfill our vision.

 

Ecological Trip at Guiwanon and Yato islets. It was on the 15th to 17th of October when the University of San Agustin Chapter had their trip there. The group traveled through pump boat going to the province of Guimaras. Then from Igdarapdap in Guimaras, they took another ride on a pump boat going to the islet of Guiwanon.. The people had a warm welcome with their sense of hospitability. Theyİ settled in Lanag and stayed there for overnight. The place was so placid and peaceful, it is overlooking Negros Occidental (nearby province beside Guimaras) and the islets of Unisan and Malingin (used to be a Japanese garrison during World War II). On the next day, the group moved to another islet called Yato. The place was really relaxing, the crystal blue water rushing to the powdery white sand, while the colorful corals and starfish together with other marine creatures make an exotic scenario at the deeper part of the sea.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GIFT-GIVING at Brgy. Barasalon in Janiuay. The group has its Gift-Giving Activity last 29th to 30th of October. We have accumulated three boxes of noodles and plastics of relief clothes. Two boxes of noodles were given by the town mayor and the other one was donated by the University of San Agustin Student Council.İ There were people who also gave their share for the project. Relief clothes were donated by the members from different school chapters. Gift-Giving is one of the community projects created by the ECO POPULI. Again in reaching Barangay Barasalon, we climbed mountains and crossed the river several times. During our first day, we again visited the cave. In the evening, we talked to the barangay council to assist us on our Gift-Giving Activity. We conducted the said activity at night. There is no electricity in the community so we just concentrated around the area where we stayed at that night. People in their houses were surprised and glad about our activity. We were like Santa Claus giving gifts at night in early Christmas. We have not able to distribute all packs of noodles and clothes. On the following day, we packed up and left the rest of our goods and relief clothing to the barangay council to distribute it to the family from far houses.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2004 ACTIVITIES

 

 

Caving at Bulabog Puti-an in Dingle, Iloilo. We had our caving activity on the 10th to 11th of January and participated by all chapters . Induction of members was also conducted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annual Meeting and Election on the 18th of the same month. New set of officers were elected for the year 2004.

 

 

Climb at Mt. Napulak in Igbaras, Iloilo. It was February 20 to 22 when our University of San Agustin Chapter climbed at Mt. Napulak. New members were brought there to experience the wonders of nature and to see its beauty. We usually had a mountain climbing to find out the present situation of our mountain. It is also one way for our members to understand and realize why we need to have actions to save and protect our mountain, forest and wildlife.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Holy Week 2004. April 6 when our group put up some black bags or trash bags along the trail going to the peak of ìBalaan Bukidî.İ We also posted some streamers and signs. Then on the 9th of April, Good Friday, we returned to the mountain to have a clean-up. Continuation of the clean-up was conducted on the following day. Less trash was picked up this year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EARTH DAY 2004, Water for Life. Here in Iloilo City, Philippines, Government agencies, N.G.O.s, private sectors, and individuals celebrated Earth Day. There was a parade headed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. There were also some groups conducted river clean-up. And one of them is our organization, ECO POPULI. Though few members were available, we still conducted an activity. Under bridge in La Paz, we picked up lot of trashes and garbage. Actually there are still mangroves growing on the river under the bridge. Years ago, there were squatters living in that area. But the City Administration relocated the families and the remains of their wastes are still in the river. Not far from the bridge, there are still lots of families living as squatters. And I canít understand why they donít have proper waste disposal. On our clean-up under the bridge, we have even picked up a baby diaper and ladiesí napkin. It was a little bit funny but you canít really discipline some people. Maybe you canít blame them for lack of education. Government really did nothing for them. We have a half day river clean-up activity. We have collected a number of plastic bags of garbage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Climb at Mt. Kanlaon. It was May 27 to 31 when the University of San Agustin Chapter climbed Mt. Kanlaon in Negros Occidental. It is one of the 13 most active volcanoes in the country at the height of 8,080 feet. Four members of the organization plus a coordinator from Bacolod City, Negros Occidental were able to reach the summit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

İİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİİ

 

 

 

 

World Environment Month. June 4 to 6 when the group again climbed Mt. Napulak. Unexpectedly, we were caught by a bad weather. But through the cooperation of each member, team work, and determination, we went down from the mountain safe. It was a new experience for our new members, facing a real life challenge, with nature. It is how you love nature why you like being with them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Orientation at Bulabog Puti-an, was conducted on the 10th to 11th of July. There was also a short lecture about caves and bats. This is one of the educational programs of ECO POPULI.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2nd General Assembly. Our organization conducted the 2nd General Assembly on the 24th of July. It was held at the University of San Agustin Campus. Members from all chapters attended the said activity. We had an orientation for new members. Accomplished and 2004 Calendar of Activities of every chapter was presented. We also have our open forum to bring out all the concern of every chapter.İ

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

International Coastal Clean-Up Day, September 18. Before we started our clean-up, we had a short discussion about the ìShifting Baselineî. Then we had a clean-up under Drilon Bridge. Members from different chapters also joined this activity. This day, other non-governmental organizations, government agencies, and private sectors, celebrated International Coastal Clean-Up Day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 30 when we joined the meeting with the ABS-CBN, Barangay Captain of Brgy. Calumpang, and other student organizations of University of San Agustin. There was a proposal to put up a project in Brgy. Calumpang. First, problems within the barangay were discussed. Ways on how to get the sympathy of the people were opened. And we also selected one zone where to conduct a project.

 

Then October 2 when we conducted our clean-up and survey at Brgy. Calumpang. Lot of students joined this activity.

 

Tree Planting at Maasin, Iloilo. It was October 16 when the University of San Agustin chapter conducted a tree planting activity.İ The town mayor as well as the Watershed Management was coordinated. More than 100 seedlings were planted and 17 members joined this activity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

October 30 when the same chapter had their semester-break trip in Mali-ao, Leon. They had their usual visit to the waterfalls and tree planting.

 

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December 4, the organization joined the 5th NGO-PO Week Celebration. On this day, various non-governmental organizations joined the Iloilo City Clean-Up activity. After the clean-up, a program followed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ECO POPULI has created various community and environmental projects for several years. It is to achieve our vision that we continue fulfilling our dreams for a balance and sustainable environment.

 

ìSAVING NATURE FOR OUR CHILDRENíS FUTUREî