2026 IJRSE – Volume 15 Issue 9
Available Online: 5 May 2026
Author/s:
Paloyo, Shella*
Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (Pasacao Campus), Philippines (shella.paloyo@cbsua.edu.ph)
San Jose, Necel
De Los Santos, April
Saculo, Sunshine
San Luis, Adelyn
Saguit, Jowelyn
Valencia, Ken
Belbes, Mel Alvin
Nolasco, Michael
Abstract:
This study aimed to determine the level of environmental awareness of youth in San Cirilo, Pasacao, Camarines Sur in terms of responsibility, participation, and behavior, as well as their involvement in eco-friendly practices such as waste segregation, recycling, and clean-up activities. It also examined whether a significant relationship exists between environmental awareness and eco-friendly practices, and explored how the Plastic Bag Prohibition Ordinance of 2020 influences youth awareness and actions despite challenges in community compliance and waste management. Using a descriptive-correlational research design, the study involved 328 youth respondents aged 15–30 years old. Results indicated that the youth exhibited high levels of awareness and actively participated in eco-friendly practices, reflecting a positive response toward environmental initiatives. This engagement is important in supporting community-based environmental management and fostering positive impacts on the environment and society. However, the Pearson r analysis revealed no significant relationship between environmental awareness and eco-friendly practices, suggesting that being aware of environmental issues does not necessarily lead to consistent participation in sustainable actions. This study utilized a descriptive-correlational research design to assess the level of environmental awareness of youth in San Cirilo and to examine its influence on their eco-friendly practices. The descriptive component identified the respondents’ level of environmental awareness and the types of pro-environmental behaviors they practice. Meanwhile, the correlational component determined the statistical relationship between environmental awareness and actual eco-friendly behaviors. The Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient (Pearson r) was used to measure the strength and significance of the relationship between the two variables.
Keywords: environmental awareness, eco-friendly practices, waste segregation, recycling, clean-up activities
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5861/ijrse.2026.26152
Cite this article:
Paloyo, S., San Jose, N., De Los Santos, A., Saculo, S., San Luis, A., Saguit, J., Valencia, K., Belbes, M. A., & Nolasco, M. (2026). Environmental awareness and eco-friendly practices of youth in San Cirilo, Pasacao, Camarines Sur: An input to proposed policy recommendation. International Journal of Research Studies in Education, 15(9), 213-228. https://doi.org/10.5861/ijrse.2026.26152
* Corresponding Author