PEÑABLANCA, Cagayan (PIA) -- To instill awareness among the learners about proper solid waste management, the Department of Education and the Local Government Unit of Peñablanca, Cagayan have staged a fashion show exhibiting elegant attires made out of trash. 

The Ecological Trashion Show, with the theme “Sustainable Practices for a Greener Future through Trashion Show,” was participated in by elementary and secondary students from different clustered barangays.

Forester Alex Sibbaluca, Municipal Environment and Natural Resources officer, said the students showcased their talents and skills in designing fashion attires from waste materials. 

The trashion costumes were specifically made from recyclable, non-biodegradable, and residual materials with potential. 

“This activity opened opportunities for our students as well as teachers as they turned trash into a remarkable masterpiece. This is to educate them that the waste materials can still be recycled or developed into beautiful artworks,” Sibbaluca said. 

He also said that the project aims to educate the students on how to protect the environment and generate income from waste materials. 

“With this initiative, we are hopeful to lessen waste generation as we exercise waste diversion. We are also hoping that these young generations will serve as multipliers in our quest to maintain our environment clean and green,” Sibbaluca added. 

Mayor Washington M. Taguinod gave cash prizes to the winners. 

He further encouraged the learners to help protect and conserve the environment, beginning at their respective homes. 

As a result, Nathaniel Pintucan and Dominique Poblete of Don Severino Pagalilauan National High School won as Mr. and Ms. Ecological Trashion Model 2024 for the secondary level, while Algesha Rizalon and Bryle Bermudez of Bugatay Elementary School won for the elementary level. 

Peñablanca town is the largest municipality in Cagayan in terms of land area and the tourism flagship destination of Cagayan Valley Region. It is also home to over 300 caves and hundreds of beautiful waterfalls. (OTB/PIA Region 2)