With conviction rooted in their identity as future civil engineers and guided by the spirit of Christian service, the BS Civil Engineering 3B students enrolled in Christian Faith Education (CFE) 5B at Saint Louis College (SLC) are stepping up as trailblazers in environmental advocacy. Their classroom learnings took shape in the form of three impactful, student-led projects—Segre-Great, Watt-A-Save, and Sanctus Luwis—all launched under the initiative TANIM (Tamang Aksyon para sa Nilikha ng Ina nating Mundo), which forms part of the broader Salwad (Sea, Air, Land, Wellness ADvocacies) Luwisyano campaign.
A Class with a Mission
The students’ inspiration stemmed from their visit and observation of the newly built College of Engineering and Architecture (CEA) Building, where they saw both promise and potential for action. They were driven by the idea that engineers are not only builders of infrastructure—but also engineers of change, equipped to design sustainable solutions and protect the planet before it’s too late.
“As civil engineers in the making, we believe that sustainability starts with small, consistent steps,” one student shared. “This is not just a class project—it’s a mission.”
Their initiatives are deeply anchored in the encyclical Laudato Si’ by Pope Francis, which calls for ecological conversion and care for our common home. The students envisioned their efforts not as isolated acts, but as collaborative, school-wide endeavors involving administrators, teachers, and fellow students. As Louisians, they knew that change happens best in community.
With creativity and intention, the students developed visually engaging campaigns to spark attention and stir action. Their three key projects each tackle a specific environmental concern:
Segre-Great: Clean Campus, Clean Future
Aimed at enhancing waste segregation in the CEA Building, this project addresses the challenge of improper disposal caused by limited bin placements. With more accessible and clearly labeled bins, the students hope to build a culture of conscious waste management.
Watt-A-Save: Switch Smart, Save Smart
This energy conservation campaign promotes mindful electricity use across the campus. Through reminders, educational posters, and active monitoring, the project encourages students and staff to adopt smarter energy habits in their daily routines.
Sanctus Luwis: The Green Restroom Sanctuary
By introducing plants and educational materials into school restrooms, this project turns an often-overlooked space into a sanctuary of sustainability. It not only enhances hygiene and air quality but also inspires care for both the self and the environment.
“We want to inspire local citizens, especially the youth, to take small but meaningful steps that can create long-term impact,” shared one class representative. “Our goal is to build practical solutions that are simple, actionable, and inclusive. We envision our projects as bridges between awareness and action, tools to cultivate shared responsibility and sustainable habits.”
These initiatives also align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – through improved waste and energy practices
- SDG 4: Quality Education – by raising environmental awareness
- SDG 13: Climate Action – through actions that mitigate environmental degradation
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – by fostering collaboration across sectors within and beyond the school
A Collective Effort
The success of TANIM would not have been possible without the leadership and teamwork of the class. Chezy Yesha Althea S. Deleña served as the Program Coordinator, alongside project leaders Christian Dave A. Jucutan (Segre-Great), Madison M. Marzo (Sanctus Luwis), and Dazelle Louise O. Ofiaza (Watt-A-Save). The entire class worked hand in hand under the mentorship of Course Facilitator Dr. Leilani O. Sanidad and Dean Engr. Melvin R. Esguerra, proving that passion paired with purpose can ignite real change.
A Continuing Mission
For the Louisians behind TANIM, these projects mark just the beginning. “This shouldn’t be the first and last of its kind,” one student emphasized. “Caring for creation is a lifelong mission, and it begins with us.”
So to our fellow Louisians: join us in shaping a greener, more sustainable future—one step, one switch, one seed at a time.
Article and Caption by Jasper Ian Dwight F. Gomez
Photos and Layout by Chezy Yesha Althea S. Deleña
