STA. LUCIA’S CAMP 101: Raising Environment Warriors

Author: THE MANILA TIMES, NOVEMBER 07, 2018
 
“What is the use of a house if you haven’t got a tolerable planet to put it on?”
-Henry David Thoreau, American Essayist.
With the ill-effects of climate change now felt all over the world, one could only think of ways to counter it and prevent the situation from getting worse.
Often, such task falls in the hands of those who till the land and nurture it for the benefit of future generations.
One developer who has taken to heart the duty to help protect the environment and ensure that there will be suitable land to build livable communities and high quality homes on is trusted property developer Sta. Lucia Land Inc.
Seeing wisdom in Thoreau’s words, Sta. Lucia Land has long been creating sustainable developments that seamlessly intertwine with nature and the environment.
Realizing the value of respecting the land where it builds, the company has made it its mission to help protect and preserve the environment in as many ways as possible.
“As responsible stewards of land, it is our duty to protect and preserve the environment even if it means more work for us. We, at Sta. Lucia Land, don’t just build homes; we work with the environment and preserve its beauty. We are consciously aware that sustainable development must not only benefit the people, it must respect the planet’s ecological balance as well,” said Sta. Lucia Land President Exequiel Robles.
“A responsible homebuilder’s duty is to ensure that we have a healthy and pristine environment to leave the future generations. Our work doesn’t stop with building homes and skyscrapers because at Sta.Lucia Land, our success is measured by how much work we put in to preserve the environment and make good with our commitment to sustainable and responsible property development,” Robles explained.

As true warriors for the environment, the company, through the recently established Sta.Lucia Foundation Inc. (SLFI) held CAMP 101, a youth and values integration camp.
Created in partnership with Experience Philippines, the two-day outreach program saw Sta.Lucia employees spending time with the people of Subic, Zambales while doing their share for the environment.
SLFI was established to institutionalize the Sta. Lucia’s legacy and continue its commitment to participate in government and nongovernment efforts to improve the quality of life of Filipinos, with long-term and sustainable programs focused on community building, health and social services, environment, education, and sports and youth development (CHEES).
“This is our way of giving back. As a trusted company, we have the power to educate and empower the people, especially the younger generation. In CAMP 101, we share our story, learnings and wisdom, and hope that we all become better people and stewards of land,” said Sta. Lucia Land Chairman Vicente Santos, who also sits as SLFI’s president and executive director.
CAMP 101 was held at the Cabitaugan Elementary School in Subic earlier this month. Workshop speakers included Fiona Faulkner of The Plastic Solution PH, who shared her advocacy and taught participants how to turn the plastic problem into a plastic solution.
There were 75 camp participants, from ages nine to 12 years, who had a fun-filled learning experience.
Volunteers from Sta. Lucia Land included the company’s officers and staff as well as the Sta. Lucia “Lady Realtors.”
In coordination with the Community Environment and Natural Resources (Cenro) of Olongapo City, SLFI also had Project Luntian’s first tree planting activity, complementing the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) Enhanced National Greening Program.
Project Luntian is the foundation’s environmental arm, led by its program director Vincent L. Santos.
“Like the trees we planted, we hope that all of us, especially the students (camp participants), will grow and become responsible and passionate Filipinos. We will continuously engage them and the whole community, so we may be able to empower them to champion the core values of being Maka-Diyos, Makatao, Makakalikasan at Makabansa,” said Crystal I. Prado, program director for Project Pangarap, the foundation’s educational arm.
CAMP 101, a Project Pangarap program, is designed to provide education and experiences that help children frame and develop their character, competencies and leadership philosophies.
It is a child-friendly, gender-sensitive, safe and motivating environment where families and communities are actively engaged to inspire children to build their dreams and realize their full potential to become ambassadors of the environment, community service and leadership and to contribute meaningfully in building the nation.
 
To read more: https://www.manilatimes.net/raising-environment-warriors/463128/