The Role of Project Love Kalikasan in Promoting Climate Action and Strengthening Community Participation in Olongapo City

Mychale Williams; Lorenzo Don R. Cayabyab

doi:10.55927/ajcs.v4i6.217

Authors

Mychale Williams Gordon College
Lorenzo Don R. Cayabyab Gordon College

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55927/ajcs.v4i6.217

Keywords:

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Urban Development, Community Engagement, Environmental Stewardship, Grassroots Initiatives

Abstract

This study explores the implementation and effectiveness of Project Love Kalikasan, a grassroots environmental initiative led by the League of Tourism Students of the Philippines – Gordon College Chapter. Anchored in community-based environmental management, the project engages all 17 barangays in clean-up drives, promoting civic responsibility and sustainability. Using a qualitative-descriptive design, data were gathered from November to April 2025 through interviews, focus group discussions, and field observations with barangay officials, volunteers, and residents. Key concepts examined include civic participation, environmental awareness, and community empowerment. Findings reveal strong local engagement, with traditional practices, teamwork, and shared responsibility driving success. The project aligns with SDGs 11, 13, and 17, highlighting the potential of community-led environmental actions to contribute to sustainable urban governance.

References

Alam, M., Baloch, M. A., & Fatima, T. (2021). Grassroots climate actions in Southeast Asia: Community-based resilience and sustainability. Journal of Environmental Studies, 35(2), 142–159. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envs.2021.04.002.

Alam, S., Haque, M. I., & Rahman, M. M. (2021). Community engagement and climate action: A case study of urban environmental resilience. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 64(3), 509–526. https://doi.org/10.1080/09640568.2020.1794289.

Andersson, K., Clark, J. K., & Emmelin, L. (2020). Community identity and local environmental stewardship. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 63(4), 657–675.

Asio, J. M. R. (2021a). Determinants of Environmental Sustainability among Tertiary Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Aquademia, 5(2), ep21011. https://doi.org/10.21601/aquademia/11444.

Asio, J. M. R. (2021b). Environmental Consumption, Waste Recycling, and Academic Performance among Selected College Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Studies in Humanities and Education, 2(1), 35-44. https://doi.org/10.48185/she.v2i1.210.

Asio, J. M. R., & Obispo, K. P. C. (2021). Environmental consciousness of higher education students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bigkis: ALCU Region III Research Journal, 10-27.

Asio, J. M., Sardina, D., Olaguir, J. A., Obispo, K. P., & Macaraeg, E. K. (2022). Community extension programs in a small suburban community: Its impact and basis for institutional sustainability and support. International Journal of Humanities, Management and Social Science (IJ-HuMaSS), 5(2), 50-58. https://doi.org/10.36079/lamintang.ij-humass-0502.365.

Asio, J. M. R., Sardina, D. P., & Olaguir, J. A. O. (2023). Student’s community service involvement: Implications for a sustainable community extension service. Asian Journal of Community Services (AJCS), 2(1), 65-76. https://10.0.218.119/ajcs.v2i1.2523.

Bennett, L., & Raj, S. (2020). Enhancing volunteerism in community environmental initiatives: A governance perspective. Journal of Environmental Management, 256, 109953.

Clayton, S., & Manning, C. (2018). Psychology and Climate Change: Human Perceptions, Impacts, and Responses. Academic Press.

Fabricius, C., Currie, B., & Govender, N. (2021). Community-based natural resource management in practice: Reflections on participatory conservation. Environmental Science & Policy, 124, 47–55.

Gneezy, U., Meier, S., & Rey-Biel, P. (2011). When and why incentives (don't) work to modify behavior. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 25(4), 191–210.

Kollmuss, A., & Agyeman, J. (2020). Mind the gap: Why do people act environmentally and what are the barriers to pro-environmental behavior? Environmental Education Research, 26(1), 1–24.

Marshall, C., & Rossman, G. B. (2016). Designing qualitative research (6th ed.). SAGE Publications.

Obispo, K. P. (2023). Experiences and Challenges encountered by the Pre-service teachers in a Community Immersion Program. Asian Journal of Community Services, 2(2), 163-172.

Obispo, K. P. C. (2023). Initial Assessment on Learners’ Need in a Community: Basis for Pre-service Teachers’ Teaching Immersion.

Paguio, D. P., Gadia, E. D., Sardina, D. P., Geniza, . G. N., & Amarille, A. T. M. (2025). Empowering Communities through Reading Literacy: a Community-based Action Research on Gordon College’s Reading Program Initiative in Olongapo City. Asian Journal of Community Services, 4(1), 35–46. https://doi.org/10.55927/ajcs.v4i1.13175.

Palinkas, L. A., Horwitz, S. M., Green, C. A., Wisdom, J. P., Duan, N., & Hoagwood, K. (2015). Purposeful sampling for qualitative data collection and analysis in mixed-method implementation research. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 42(5), 533–544. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-013-0528-y.

Pretty, J., & Smith, D. (2004). Social capital in biodiversity conservation and management. Conservation Biology, 18(3), 631–638. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1523-1739.2004.00126.x.

Schultz, P. W. (2000). Empathizing with nature: The effects of perspective taking on concern for environmental issues. Journal of Social Issues, 56(3), 391–406. https://doi.org/10.1111/0022-4537.00174.

UNEP. (2022). State of the environment and development in the Mediterranean: Summary for decision makers.

United Nations. (2015). Transforming our world: The 2030 agenda for sustainable development.

Zsóka, Á., Szerényi, Z. M., Széchy, A., & Kocsis, T. (2018). Education and pro-environmental behavior. Environmental Education Research, 24(6), 807–822.