Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 26) — Carmela Ellaga, a Filipina fisheries technologist, reminds her fellow youth active in the conservation of the environment to just continue what they are doing because even small things count.
“I can really see a lot of youth involved in environmental activities… Whatever your passion is, whatever you are doing kahit napakaliit na effort lang ‘yan (even if it’s just a small effort) that counts. Keep on doing what you love,” Ellaga told CNN Philippines’ The Final Word.
During the recent celebration of Earth Day, the environmentalist was recognized by former US first lady Michelle Obama for her efforts to protect the planet.
“Carmela grew up in a fishing village, where her passion for marine life pushed her to become a licensed fisheries technologist, despite the floods and typhoons that often closed her school,” Obama said in an Instagram post.
Honored about the recognition, Ellaga said her passion for marine conservation was fueled by her willingness to help the fishing village she grew up in.
“The fisherfolk, sila ang major food producers natin and sila rin ang (they are our major food producers, and they are also) mostly affected ng (by) typhoons and climate change. This drove me to pursue fisheries to also help my community,” she said.
The 21-year-old Filipina is currently part of the Philippine Reef & Rainforest Conservation Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization spearheading environmental efforts that focus on biodiversity conservation, nature tourism, science and research, and education among others.
She is the foundation’s community officer for a project they started in three local governments in Negros Occidental. The goal of the initiative is to have “sustainable coastal protection through biodiversity conservation of coastal ecosystem affected by typhoons in the Philippines,” she explained.
Through workshops and trainings for communities and local governments, Ellaga said they hope to strengthen efforts in the protection of marine areas.
