City of San Fernando, La Union - to strengthen the youth involvement in the performance of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) mandate through information, education, and communication, social mobilization and partnership building, a DENR Special Order No. 2020-331 was issued on September 24, 2020 authorizing the implementation of the Environment and Natural Resources Ambassador Project. This project is also under the “Tayo ang Kalikasan” (TAK) initiative.

In DENR Region- I, the Regional Strategic Communication and Initiatives Group (RSCIG), the information and communication arm of the agency, and also the designated Youth Desk focal unit, is tasked to initiate the ENR Ambassador Project. To realize this initiative, a virtual meeting via Zoom with various partners’ stakeholders was conducted on February 4, 2021 hosted by RSCIG personnel headed by Chief, Renelita A. Santos. The partner organizations include the Lions Club District- 301-C of Northern Luzon represented by Robert Ranchez, Celso Jucutan of DMMMSU- NLUC, Dr. Joselito I. Rosario, College Dean of Agriculture Food & Sustainable Development, Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (MMMSU) of Batac, Ilocos Norte, and Jeff Zamoranos and Steven Angelo of the Lupon ng Indibidwal na Nangangalaga ng Kalikasan (LINK), an active youth organization based in San Fernando City, La Union.

The Office of the DENR Undersecretary for Solid Waste Management, LGU Concerns and Strategic Communication and Initiative Service (SCIS), headed by Benny D. Antiporda will provide Ninety (90) units of Pocket WiFi to be given to selected ENR youth Ambassadors while the WiFi load will be provided by the Lions Club District 301- C of Northern Luzon. The significant meeting signifies first step of youth involvement in the protection and conservation of the environment and natural resources. The “Tayo ang Kalikasan” orientation is the communication vehicle used by DENR to disseminate the advocacies to the public. TAK portrays the major elements of nature, through advocacy and social mobilization. A monthly regular meeting has been approved by the group and a memorandum of partnership agreement (MOPA) is presently crafted and finalize for the said initiative. (ZLP-RSCIG)