The San Mariano Elementary School in Oriental Mindoro is among this year’s winners in the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ nationwide search for sustainable and eco-friendly schools.

The village school in Roxas town won third place in the elementary school category. Chosen as first placer is the Iliranan Elementary School in Negros Occidental province and the Kibawe Central School in Bukidnon province as second place.

In the high school category, the Camarines Sur National High School in Camarines Sur province won the grand prize, followed by the University of San Jose Recoletos High School in Cebu province and third placer Daniel R. Aguinaldo National High School of Davao City.

The college category winners are: first placer De La Salle University-Dasmariñas in Cavite province, second placer Palawan State University in Palawan province, and Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City.

The DENR- Environmental Management Bureau  and its partners Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Smart Communications recognized such schools for having the best sustainable environment-related initiatives among learning institutions that joined this year’s search.

“We feel the need to continue this type of project,” EMB  Director Juan Miguel Cuna said, noting this project is helping increase public awareness of and action on environmental protection.

The agency reported the increasing implementation of environment-related initiatives in schools nationwide.

DENR Assistant Secretary Corazon Davis said such recognition will help raise public awareness about the need to protect the environment amid the threats of climate change.

“We recognize and laud your efforts and wish to see you again in 2013,” she told schools that participated in this year’s search.