ECO-CONSCIOUSNESS is a mindset that everyone, not only Bedans, should instill. When awareness occurs, actions come forth. People should be reminded that their habits affect the environment.

     Last Oct. 2023, a collaboration between San Beda College Alabang (SBCA) and Communities Organized for Resource Allocation (CORA) was signed. The mandate of this partnership is a lasting commitment to address the world’s environmental challenges, in line with the encyclical letter entitled “Laudato Si: On Care for our Common Home” from Pope Francis. Earlier this year, the Material Recovery Facility was also built to assist in recycling the waste of the institution. 

     With that, a seminar hosted by Planet CORA with the theme, "ECO-TALK: Shaping a Sustainable Future at San Beda College Alabang" was held last Oct. 16 in St. Maur Auditorium. The event, in collaboration with SBCA, aims to prevent the usage of single-use plastic and promote the betterment of the environment, serving as a reflection to this important commitment of the institution. 

Less of a giver, more of a receiver 

     Even though it is one of the smallest contributors of greenhouse gasses, its effect on the country can still be felt, especially in the lower sector of society. The speaker and the founder of Planet CORA, Antoinette Taus, said "Pagdating sa isang climate emergency, kung sino pa yung pinakahirap na, sila pa ang mas tinatamaan pa ng grabe at mas naaapektuhan." One of the big contributors to the climate emergency is the use of single-use plastic. With this, CORA introduced a circular economy system that reforms plastic waste into a more practical item. 

We, Women, Men

     A program from CORA called the Eco-Ikot Sustainable Cities Program aims to promote environmental protection and specifically reduce marine pollution. Not only that, it also recognizes women's empowerment as this program is led, and mostly composed of women. The ECO-Ikot center collaborates with local junk shops, livelihood programs, and upcycling innovation. Also, a video of the recycling process of single-use plastic into more useful materials was shown.

     Other programs that CORA does are hashtag lunch bag ph, My Osean Mission, and woMANGROVE WARRIORS. The focus of their projects is to empower the most vulnerable citizens, women, schools, and the youth. Nevertheless, no matter what the goals are, it is everyone’s duty to protect and preserve the environment.  

     The program managers of CORA, Christian, and Eco-Ikot Center, Aiyan, conducted a mini-game called "Sort out your recyclables." The game assessed the Bedans' knowledge of the proper segregation of recyclable items. 

     WASTE - As remarked by Rev. Fr. Gerardo Ma. De Villa, "Nothing goes to waste. What we consider waste is not waste after all." Truly, some methods would turn waste into something valuable, such as recycling. But, the actual waste is those who continue to be neglectful and ignorant of their environment. But just like waste, they can be turned into someone valuable.