By: Earle Vann E. Ramos
Teacher III, TLE Dept.
MNCHS

Growing up in a humble household, my parents always reminded me to be thankful for small things I have received and to make the most out of what were available for us.

As an industrial arts teacher for more than 13 years now, I have come to enjoy the art of building and creating new things that would be beneficial to the learners and the school. It made me realize that the true essence of teaching really lies on the ability to transfer the skills and competencies you have to your students.

However, in recent months, in one of my visits to the supply section of our school, I was able to come across decrepit and unused materials in the campus which were issued by the Department of Education. It is a given fact that these materials truly were worn out in the long run, nevertheless, steps can be done in order to refurbish them and make something new out of the old.

Masbate National Comprehensive High School (MNCHS) has been serving the Masbateño learners for more than a hundred years now. In its existence, the school has already been witness to the numerous wear and tear, as well as modifications of the supplies, equipment and other relevant materials provided by the Department of Education as utilized by its learners and employees. These supplies have serviceable lifespans that only lasts for specific periods of time, depending on its original value, usability and function.

When DepEd equipment, appliances and supplies have reached its maximal service and usage, schools are compelled to keep them away in facilities and storage areas until declared junk or scrap. Despite the proliferation of various laws, rules and regulations governing disposal of property, a considerable quantity of unserviceable, no longer needed, obsolete, forfeited/seized supplies, materials and equipment and valueless records have grown into unmanageable and uneconomical proportions in various government agencies, including mega schools like MNCHS. To save cost of maintaining such property, there is a need for their disposal and/or other worthwhile management/restoration projects.

Pursuant to Sec. 1 of EO No. 888 and COA Cir. No. 89-296, the full and sole authority and responsibility for the disposal of properties and other assets owned by the Government shall be lodged in the heads of offices, which will undergo a series of activities that include inspection, appraisal, and disposal.

In order to help reuse and maximize DepEd equipment, appliances and supplies in the school, I came up with a possible solution that will not only address the scrap and junk piling in the school, but also turn to a more favorable situation that would enhance and improve the quality of lowly appraised materials in the school to become productive and useable again.

Instead of resorting to condemnation or sale of unserviceable properties of the school, it is far more favorable that the school has developed and implemented Project EARLE: (Equipment, Appliances and supplies Restoration and Revamp for Long-term Extension of usage and facility), in order to give a more practical and economic resolution.

Project EARLE is a worthwhile innovative project that aims to help restore and maximize the usage, function and service of DepEd equipment, appliances and supplies, which can still be salvaged and refurbished for other purpose and utilization. In this manner, the school will be able to maximize the use of this materials for a better purpose.

For 2023, this innovative project has produced several reusable materials and equipment of the school which resulted to cost savings and efficiency improvements. Old sewing machines were converted to functional and aesthetically pleasing tables. Unserviceable long benches were rehabilitated to become individual armchairs.

For sustainability, I dream of transforming and refurbishing more school supplies and materials in the future so as to make sure that no government fund is put to waste. This tiny contribution is my legacy in order to ensure a more cost-effective and useful materials in the school and the community.

Additionally, the importance of recycling and refurbishing old materials lies in its profound impact on environmental sustainability. Rather than discarding items as waste, the process of recycling and refurbishing allows us to breathe new life into materials that would otherwise contribute to overflowing landfills.

By embracing these practices, we actively contribute to the reduction of resource consumption, energy use, and greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production of new goods. Recycling not only conserves raw materials but also minimizes the environmental footprint of manufacturing processes. Moreover, refurbishing old materials promotes a circular economy, emphasizing the reuse of existing resources to create products with extended lifespans.

Project EARLE not only conserves natural resources but also reduces the need for constant disposal, fostering a more responsible and sustainable approach to consumption. Ultimately, the importance of recycling and refurbishing lies in its ability to preserve our planet’s resources, minimize waste, and pave the way for a more environmentally conscious and sustainable future, for a more effective “Bansang Makabata, Batang Makabansa”.