Ocean-action Marine Education Program (OMEP)

OMEP aims to achieve the following:

-To cultivate among children in coastal areas a positive attitude toward marine ecology and help increase their science literacy

-To encourage outdoor coastal activities such as snorkeling in marine sanctuaries, visiting mangroves, and beach clean-ups that allow local communities to see the immediate and tangible value of environmental care and protection

-To facilitate a “non-intrusive” form of environmental awareness campaign through which parents, fisherfolk, and the rest of the community members are educated and informed through children and teachers

-To enhance science curriculum of elementary schools in coastal areas

This program has two major components:

Teachers Association for Ocean-action (TAO)

TAO is currently being developed by elementary school teachers of Silago in Southern Leyte and headed by Lorina Toyhacao, Transfee Merro, and Marlon Lopez. This association intends to do the following: develop educational materials and resources tailored to the needs of children in coastal communities promote value of their immediate marine environment by facilitating on-site activities, field trips and lectures

Young Leaders for Ocean-action (YLO)

YLO is a program by the young for the young. It engages young people (ages 14-25) to spearhead environment-oriented projects for their own peers and network. It aims to encourage high level of involvement and participation among the youth, to develop their leadership potential, and to maximize their unique skills, creativity, resources and network to draw other young people to get involved in environmental protection and advocacy campaigns. YLO is currently being organized by Katherine Sy, Jessica Ann Magno, Liezl Mendoza, Cal Soesanto, and Anna Sedigo.

YLO is now launching the Eco-blog Contest, a joint project of ORC and University of Asia of the Pacific. For more details, click here.

Alternative Livelihood Program for Ocean-action (ALP)

ALP supports agricultural development in rural areas and aims to supplement the livelihood of fishing communities through alternative agricultural methods such as backyard or container gardening and organic farming. ALP aims to provide resources and skills training programs especially for the parents of the ORC’s young beneficiaries particularly those in Southern Leyte. Also, ALP reinforces ORC’s children’s programs by engaging parents and other members of the families in to be directly involved in activities that offer practical solutions to environmental care and protection. More details about ALP will be posted soon.

Future Projects

Ocean-action Adventure Center

Ocean-action Online Information Resource

More details soon.