DENR awards partner-agencies

• Source:http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/local-news/2016/07/02/denr-awards-partner-agencies-483038
• Sunday, July 3, 2016

By Elisha Judy Tabaque (UP Cebu Intern)

AT LEAST 15 national government agencies, partner private companies, local government units (LGUs) and nongovernment organizations (NGOs) were awarded during the Second Gawad Tugas Awarding Ceremony held at Marcelo B. Fernan Cebu Press Center, Sudlon, Lahug, Cebu City last June 30.

The ceremony was held to mark the 2016 Philippine Environment Month of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7.

"This is the second year of the Gawad Tugas Award, which was initiated by the DENR 7 starting last 2015 to seriously take recognition of our partners' efforts and sound environmental practices beyond their normal responsibilities and functions," said DENR 7 Director Dr. Isabelo R. Montejo, in his message to the awardees.

Field

Dr. Montejo, Environment and Management Bureau (EMB) 7 Director William Cuñado and Mines and Geosciences Bureau 7 Director Loreto Alburo, represented by Engr. Raul Laput, with other DENR officials, led the awarding ceremony.

The awardees in the field of National Greening Program (NGP) were people's organizations Tumalog Daanglungsod Cañag Upland Farmers Association and Cebu and Cabacnitan Multi-purpose Cooperative; the Provincial Government of Bohol in the field of patent issuance; CP Kelco Philippines Inc. in the field of clean water; Alberto Prieto Pasigna and the Philippine National Police Larena Station in the field of enforcement of environmental laws; Siquijor Fire Station in the field of forest protection and management and the City Government of Lapu-Lapu and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in the field of protection and management.

Responsible mining

Other awardees include the Apo Cement Corp. in the Tinaan, City of Naga, Cebu and JLR Construction and Aggregates Inc. for their contributions to the geohazard mapping and assessment program and in the field of responsible mining; the Municipality of Mabini, Bohol in the field of Biodiversity Constervation and Management together with the Municipality of Dalaguete, Cebu, which is also an awardee in the field of solid waste management, and Kanepackage Philippines Inc. in the field of environmental rehabilitation.

Gawad Tugas intends to promote and replicate good environmental practices done by the awardees and recognize institutions, which have made significant and outstanding contribution in the protection, conservation and management of the environment and natural resources.

"Gawad Tugas symbolizes our hardest efforts to combat environmental degradation similar to a molave or tugas, which is touted as one of the hardest wood," Montejo said.

Montejo also emphasized the need to work together with various stakeholders in meeting its mandate and goals to ensure the protection, conservation and preservation of the environment while addressing poverty alleviation.

Advocacy

He also urged all partners of the department to continue working for the advocacies especially under the leadership of the new DENR Secretary, Regina Paz Lao Lopez.

Sun.Star Cebu and 16 other media outfits were also awarded for delivering news in relation to the protection, conservation and preservation of the environment.

"This is the moment where we take pride in our accomplishments and a moment where we inspire and challenge in pursuing to a higher level of quality outputs and greater honors in the field of environmental sustainability," Montejo said.