Advancing Environmental Stewardship Through the DENR Communication, Education, and Public Awareness (CEPA) Program: Assessment of Implementation in Surigao City
Abstract
This study assessed the implementation of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Communication, Education, and Public Awareness (CEPA) Program in Surigao City and examined its contribution to environmental stewardship among stakeholders. Anchored on Environmental Behavior Theory and Social Learning Theory, the study employed a descriptive-evaluative design using survey data and documentary analysis. The respondents were 100 purposively selected stakeholders from Barangay San Juan, Barangay Sabang, Barangay Washington, and DENR CEPA implementers. Primary data were collected through a researcher-developed, expert-validated questionnaire measuring the implementation of CEPA in terms of communication, education, and public awareness. Secondary data were obtained from DENR reports, accomplishment records, attendance sheets, solid waste management monitoring reports, plastic reduction memorandum, and activity documentation. Results showed that 23 CEPA-related activities were implemented in 2025, consisting of communication activities (f = 10), education initiatives (f = 8), and public awareness activities (f = 5). Communication was highly implemented (M = 3.47), education was moderately implemented (M = 3.32), and public awareness was highly implemented (M = 3.41). Documentary evidence showed that environmental stewardship was observable in proper waste segregation, coastal clean-ups, tree planting, mangrove planting, and community participation, although plastic reduction, sustained participation, and compliance remained inconsistent. The most pressing challenge was limited financial resources (M = 2.96), followed by lack of environmental awareness (M = 2.93), limited environmental training (M = 2.91), low community participation (M = 2.87), and poor stakeholder coordination (M = 2.83). The study concludes that the CEPA Program is visible and active in Surigao City, but its long-term effectiveness depends on stronger environmental education, sustained engagement, better resource support, improved coordination, and monitoring mechanisms. The study recommends enhanced CEPA policy guidelines to strengthen communication, environmental education, public participation, institutional coordination, resource mobilization, and evaluation.
