How the idea started? Let’sDoIt !!!
It started when our very own founder of SEED4COM Mr. Dann Diez , discovered a clean up movement while backpacking in the US. When he participated the Lets Do It Regional Conference in the Americas year 2012, he was inspired by the Conference outcome and learnings, he promised to himself that he will bring Let’s Do It movement to Philippines. The same period, the legal solid waste disposal is already becoming a global crucial problem.Two years after he then attended the 2014 Let´s Do It World Conference that took place in Kosovo Pristina, 6-9th February. When he came home to Philippines he wasted no time and start spreading the good news that the 2nd Let’s Do It Asian Conference shall be held in Cebu, Philippines on November 27-30,2014 and SEED4COM as initiator.To date back, the 1st Let’s Do It Asian Conference was held in Nepal on Nov.8-11,2012.
A pre-activity to the LDI 2nd Asia Conference, a youth forum was held on the 25th of November at Cebu Normal University from 4 p.m. to 7pm.This was organized by the Youth for a Better Earth (YABE) a local youth organization based in Cebu. The forum gathered around 125 student leaders from 4 different universities, which they tackled the Let’s Do It Movement – its story and impact & the Let’s Do It Philippines Initiative. The participants were given time to share their ideas how they can take part of the movement as youth leaders in their respective organization or communitues.
Before November, SEED4COM spearheaded monthly clean-up programs, including the adoption of Gilutongan Island, Cordova Cebu as the pilot project community for ‘’Island Trash Warrior Heroes’’ which aims to educate about environmental issues-how to cope trash problems and also help the community to have the attitude of helping each other to promote sustainable development.
Another program was launched last September this year in line still with Let’s Do It movement is the EcoArt Exhibit which taps local artist and art-entrepreneurs to showcase their talent using recyclable materials just like one of our November exhibitor Floreia, Mr. Jerick Macasocol fashion design and Jun Verano landscaping .The EcoArt Exhibit will also be moved to other public spaces and schools (to be determined) for the rest of the year reaching out to more people to raise awareness and advocacy to respond to the pressing issues on our environment and climate change.
The month of November was filled with the busiest days and the most exciting for the people who were involved, especially the Commitee for the Conference. From planning, logistics, admin and coordination, SEED4COM as initiator of Let’s Do it Philippines with the all-out support from Estonian team where the idea of Massive Clean up movement started 6 years ago. The conference received a huge support from the local government of Cebu-province, Cebu City and Municipality of San Remigio including private companies, ”WE did it”.
The full 3-day conference is an affirmation that there are people who still care and there are ways to solve our waste problems. Different topics were discussed in relation to the movement like waste management, existing Philippine environmental laws related to illegal waste disposal, turning waste into value, volunteer management, buliding teams and more.Knowledge being inculcated, ideas being absorbed and experiences shared means a great success for the entire team, the organizer and the delegates from different parts of Asia (Vietnam, Indonesia, China, Cambodia and the Philippines) as well as from Mexico, Germany, US and Colombia.
As an output of the Conference everyone is committed to be a catalyst of change , to reach the goal of gathering 5 million volunteers around the Philippines to take part for a massive clean-up campaign on September 20,2015. The followin action plans were developed during the conference :
- Plan to call for an Executive order from the President proclaiming every 3rd sunday of the year as the ”National Clean-Up day of the Philippines, where everyone will go out on this particular day to do massive clean-up around the country.
- Choose Regional Coordinators to organize and mobilize our advocacy for Luzon, Visayas & Mindanao.
- 100 Trash Warriors Boot Camp on January 9-11,2015 to be held in Cebu.During this camp, two leaders shall be chosen (male and female) to represent Philipines on Let’s Do It World Conference 2015 on February 18-21st, 2015 in Riga, Latvia, where the Philippines will bid as the host for 2016 World Conference.
- Utilize waste mapping tool provided by Let’s Do It World to identify areas concentrated with illegal trash. http://www.letsdoitworld.org/android-app-manual.
Finally, on 4th and last day we did mangrove planting in Brgy.Tambongon San Remegio Cebu, with the help of the local community, Tambongon United Fisher Folks Assocation, Philippine Army, Delegates of the Conference and the Nanays who prepared the local delicacy Bud-bud(sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves)
SEED4COM would like to thank everyone who participated, to the Estonian team Margo Loor, Kadi Kenk and Lisandra Roosioja, the speakers from different countries, the Committee, Miss.Padma of Creative Magnate, Local government of Cebu City, Cebu Province, LGU of San Remegio, San Remegio Beach Club for our accomodation, to all Volunteers and last but not the least to our delegates from different parts of Asia and the world.
Take a sneak peak how we enjoyed and learn as much as we can during the conference, here.
To quote from our humble leader ”No words can express my heartfelt gratitude for believing in our cause.A big THANK you shout out to all who made impact and inspired others to think and do bigger and better. ‘Dann’
”Together we will took that step towards our ambitious goal of cleaning up the entire planet as we rebel agains trash”
Get on board now and be part of the cause, like Lets Do It Philippines fb page, and or contact SEED4COM for collaboration and partnership.