UC-COE Environmental and Sanitary Engineering (ENSE) students participated in “Chanun ket Bfiyag,” an environmental awareness and conservation initiative held at the Puguis Communal Forest in La Trinidad, Benguet on March 22, 2025. Organized through the collaboration of the Environmental Management Bureau – Cordillera Administrative Region (EMB-CAR) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Cordillera Administrative Region (DENR-CAR), the activity commemorated World Water Day 2025 and the International Day of Forests, highlighting the interconnectedness of forests, water, people, and culture.
The event brought together representatives from EMB-CAR and DENR-CAR, the Local Government Unit of La Trinidad, the La Trinidad Water District, students from the University of the Cordilleras (UC), University of Baguio (UB), and Benguet State University (BSU), as well as members of CCUTI-Cultural Organization and the Philippine Society of Sanitary Engineers – Cordillera Administrative Region (PSSE-CAR). Through forest bathing, trash picking, and environmental information dissemination, UC-ENSE students took part in activities that encouraged environmental stewardship and strengthened their appreciation of the importance of protecting natural ecosystems.
The initiative emphasized the vital role of forests in sustaining water resources. Forest ecosystems help regulate the water cycle, reduce soil erosion, support groundwater recharge, and protect water quality. For UC-ENSE students, the experience reinforced the importance of conscious water usage, proper waste disposal, and watershed conservation in promoting a sustainable water supply. As future environmental and sanitary engineers, their participation provided an opportunity to connect classroom learning with environmental action and recognize their role in addressing water and environmental challenges within their communities.
One of the highlights of the activity was the “Web of Life” game, which demonstrated the interconnectedness of forests, water, wildlife, people, and other environmental components. The activity reinforced the understanding that protecting one element of the environment contributes to the health and stability of the entire ecosystem. It also encouraged participants to recognize that individual and collective actions can make a meaningful difference in preserving natural resources.
The participation of UC-ENSE students supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: Clean Water and Sanitation and SDG 15: Life on Land. By promoting responsible water consumption, preventing pollution, and protecting watersheds, the initiative contributes to sustainable water resource management under SDG 6. Meanwhile, forest conservation, waste collection, and environmental awareness support SDG 15 by encouraging the protection and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems. These efforts demonstrate that safeguarding forests and water resources requires active community participation and a shared commitment to environmental sustainability.
Through their involvement in “Chanun ket Bfiyag,” UC-ENSE students demonstrated the importance of translating environmental awareness into meaningful action. The experience strengthened their commitment to responsible water use, forest protection, and sustainable engineering practices, contributing to the University of the Cordilleras’ continuing efforts to promote environmental responsibility and advance the Sustainable Development Goals.
