Nutrition committee organizes kid -soldiers for environment

By Necita G. Alconis

Sunday 5th of August 2012

BASCO, Batanes, Aug 5 (PIA) -- The Barangay Nutrition Council (BNC) of Brgy. San Antonio, Basco organized kid-soldiers for environment whose main lookout is for a plastic-free community.

Leticia C. Bayaras, a Department of Health (DOH) nurse and resident of the barangay said during an interview that the BNC met the schoolchildren of Diptan Elementary School in July, with the school principal Sylvia B. Lameda and explained the importance of a plastic-free community.

In July 24 the BNC had launched a movement called plastic-free community through kid-soldiers who would pick all forms of plastic wrappers and light plastic containers to keep Brgy. San Antonio free-plastic.

Bayaras emphasized that the children need not skip classes, because the picking activity is done along the way to and from school, not during class hours.

These candy, biscuit, ice candy, juice wrappers are kept in another plastic container in their bag.

The wrappers are turned over to the barangay hall for weighing every 15th and 30th of the month or the nearest weekday to Friday and Sunday.

Bayaras said for every 500 grams of plastic wrappers the child is given a prize of school supplies like pencil, ruler, pad paper, eraser.
Prizes are solicited from residents in the barangay.

The kid-soldiers for environment are more aware of keeping their community clean and free from plastics, they value industriousness and cooperation, and self-discipline.

The kid-soldiers for environment movement will be maintained according to the BNC chair, the barangay chief of San Antonio, Will Lee H. Gabotero.

Bayaras finally said that BNC is finding ways to fund prizes for responsible children who are partners of the barangay officials and the community to keep their barangay a plastic-free community. (NGA-PIA-2, Batanes)