ABSTRACT
The descriptive study examined the mechanisms, implementation, sustainability and outcomes of the “Dalaw-Turo (DT)” Program, as an Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Campaign Tool of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). One hundred respondents selected through purposive sampling, answered a researched-adapted questionnaire administered in schools and field offices of DENR PENRO Iloilo where the DT program was implemented, with further insights obtained from open-ended responses. The collected quantitative data were examined through descriptive statistical analysis while thematic analysis was used for qualitative data. Findings revealed that the Dalaw-Turo Program is an effective IEC Tool that increased environmental awareness in the community and encouraged the respondents to participate in various conservational initiatives. The findings highlighted the importance of monitoring and evaluation of the impacts of the program, increasing funding allocation, conducting trainer’s training and strengthening collaboration with the Department of Education and Local Government Units.
Keywords: “Dalaw-Turo” Program, Mechanisms, Effectiveness, Sustainability, Outcomes
INTRODUCTION
The need for environmental awareness does not only mean having knowledge about the environment, but it also includes our environmental ethics to be part of the solution towards its protection and conservation, as it faces threats that lead to the loss of our natural resources.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) serves as the leading government body tasked with the preservation, administration, and sustainable utilization of the nation's environmental assets. The agency operates under core mandates aimed at ensuring the long-term viability of natural resources through responsible consumption and proactive restoration. Additionally, the department seeks to enhance resource productivity to effectively address the expanding needs of a growing population for land, mineral, and forest products.
In 1989, seeking creative advancements in Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) strategies, the DENR—via the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB)—launched the Dalaw-Turo program. Derived from the Filipino terms for "visit" (dalaw) and "teach" (turo), this initiative functions as a creative pedagogical tool designed to spread conservation-focused messaging. This non-formal and interactive methodology enhances public consciousness regarding sustainable development and biodiversity. By utilizing folk media—including street performances, interactive workshops, and displays—alongside eco-tours and educational games, the program ensures that environmental learning remains engaging and accessible to diverse audiences (Communication, Education and Public Awareness Best Practices Database Project December 2023).
Furthermore, the program was formally integrated into the department’s operations through DENR Administrative Order (DAO) No. 97-36. This mandate officially established Dalaw-Turo as a primary environmental education strategy for nature preservation and awareness initiatives. The order was enacted to ensure that this educational medium reached all societal tiers, with a particular emphasis on fostering environmental literacy at the grassroots level.
The overarching mission of Dalaw-Turo is to inform various stakeholders, particularly those residing in upland communities, to empower them to take an active role in protecting biological diversity and managed areas. By boosting ecological knowledge and instilling a strong environmental ethic, the program aims to expand the engagement of different sectors in the collective effort toward sustainable development and environmental advocacy.
This study aimed to help the agency to evaluate and assess this Dalaw-Turo Program as an IEC tool and as to how it influenced and affected the behavior of the participants from the community after they were equipped with knowledge about the program, activities and projects of DENR.
The most compelling reasons for conducting this study are the following: 1) to assess the level of awareness and impact of Dalaw-Turo Program among the community; 2) to evaluate the relevance of this IEC campaign as a tool in promoting the agency’s programs and projects; and 3) to highlight the mechanisms employed, effectiveness and the outcomes of the Dalaw-Turo Program conducted among the community.
see PDF attachment for more information