The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Department of Education (Deped)-Division of Makati City signed a memorandum of understanding to partner in providing students in select schools in the city lectures on anti-smoking and anti-vaping.
The MOU, signed during the Brigada Eskwela 2023 Division Kick-Off held in Makati High School, is to implement a smoke-free and healthy environment among public schools.
According to MMDA Acting Chairman Atty. Don Artes, one of the keys towards a smoke-free and healthy environment in the school is to educate and capacitate the learners.
“We will teach the students on the importance of health and the dangers of smoking, vaping, as well as secondhand smoke, to our wellbeing through social media and/or video conferencing platforms.”
“We will teach the students on the importance of health and the dangers of smoking, vaping, as well as secondhand smoke, to our wellbeing through social media and/or video conferencing platforms,” he stressed during the MOU signing rites.
An orientation on anti-littering will also be provided aimed to inform students on the effects of throwing small litters that may cause clogging of waterways leading to flooding. Likewise, the students will undergo a course on Basic First Aid and Disaster Management for incidents of fire, flooding, and earthquake.
Furthermore, the MMDA will capacitate the students on training that will enhance their skills in using the website as a platform for educating young people on the effects of smoking and vaping to a person’s health.
“One of the keys to a successful implementation and sustainability of an integrated health program is the active involvement and participation of partner organizations and school communities.”
“The MMDA believes that one of the keys to a successful implementation and sustainability of an integrated health program is the active involvement and participation of partner organizations and school communities in identifying problems brought about by smoking and vaping, seeking for feasible solutions and tapping into existing resources,” Artes added.
DepEd Makati, for its part, is responsible for securing the health and wellness of students, thus enjoining the MMDA to serve as a major partner in its campaign for a healthy and smoke-free environment.
Schools to be given lectures are: Makati High School, San Isidro National High School, San Antonio National High School, Gen. Pio del Pilar National High School, Bangkal High School, Maximo Estrella Senior High School, Fort Bonifacio High School, Benigno Ninoy S. Aquino High School, Makati Science High School, Pitogo High School, Tibagan High School, Nemesio I. Yabut Senior High School.
The discussions, which will be done either online or face-to-face, will have a maximum of 50 students per session, per school. It will be a mix of junior and senior high school students.
The project will be a continuing program and is set to end in June 2025.
Also present in the MOU signing are Makati Vice Mayor Monique Lagdameo, officials from DepEd Makati, and their private partners such as China Bank Savings, and Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA).
