De La Salle University- Dasmariñas Cavite, Miriam College and Visayas State University became the first three academic institutions to receive the Dark Green School (DGS) label from the Environmental Education Network of the Philippines (EENP). The awarding ceremonies were held at the EENP 2nd International Conference and Scientific Meeting last May 4-6, 2009 in Silliman University in Dumaguete City.

The DGS program is a system of accreditation where  school is judged on its environmental thrusts as reflected in its Policies, Administration and Finance, Academics, Research, Outreach and Production.  Prior to the accreditation visit by academic peers, an applicant school goes through a process of self-evaluation using the School Environmental Assessment Profile checklist.  A school may be adjudged  light green, green and dark green depending on the degree of its actualization of the “whole-school approach” to environmental education.

The past year was a piloting phase for the DGS program.  It was funded by the Fund for Philippine Environment.  The program is seen to have a high potential for “greening the academe”.