October 28, 2025

Health, Environment

The Youth for Environment in Schools Organization (YES-O) is a nationwide, school-based and co-curricular student organization institutionalized by the Department of Education through Department Order No. 93, s. 2003. Rooted in the vision of fostering environmental awareness, responsibility, and action among young people, YES-O provides a dynamic platform for students to take part in meaningful environmental advocacies and projects. The organization serves as a response to the growing need to educate the youth on the pressing environmental issues of the 21st century—such as climate change, pollution, deforestation, biodiversity loss, and improper waste management—and to mobilize them as active stewards of the Earth. In the context of Jacobo Z. Gonzales Memorial National High School, the YES-O chapter was officially established in 2020, driven by the shared commitment of student leaders, faculty members, and the school administration to cultivate a generation of environmentally responsible citizens. Since its inception, the organization has played a pivotal role in creating awareness and initiating campus-wide and community-based environmental projects. These include tree-planting activities, clean-up drives, proper waste segregation campaigns, recycling programs, and informative seminars and webinars aligned with national and global environmental events such as Earth Day, World Water Day, and Zero Waste Month. Guided by the principles of youth empowerment and environmental stewardship, YES-O at Jacobo Z. Gonzales Memorial National High School functions not just as a school club but as a movement that inspires students to think critically and act decisively in addressing environmental concerns. The organization also collaborates with external stakeholders including local government units, barangay officials, and non-government organizations to expand its impact beyond the school. It encourages students to be not just participants but changemakers—advocating for sustainability and climate justice, and ensuring that the natural resources of today are preserved for future generations. Through its holistic and inclusive approach, YES-O continues to evolve as a force for positive change in both the school and the wider community.