GOVERNOR, ONE province, a town, one city, a commercial fi rm, and an individual were recipients of this year’s Saringaya Award of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the Bikol Region.
Saringaya Award has different categories and is given in the form of plaque and certifi cate to individuals, groups, industries and non-governmental organization in recognition of their active involvement in the program and projects of the DENR. Saringaya is a Bikol term which means having abundant growth.
This year’s Saringaya Awardees were Albay Governor Joey Sarte Salceda, the Province of Sorsogon through the able leadership of Governor Sally A. Lee, Sorsogon City through the able leadership of Mayor Leovic R. Dioneda, Pacifi c Mall Corporation, the Municipality of Prieto Diaz, Sorsogon through the able leadership of Mayor Benito L. Doma, and Emmanuel de Luna, a tree farmer in Daet, Camarines Norte.
Governor Salceda was awarded for “his leadership that led to the country’s Declaration on Climate Change Adaptation in October 2007 in support to the United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change.”
The Province of Sorsogon received the award “for leading dynamic municipalities in Sorsogon” in committing fully to the Environmental Solid Waste Management (ESWM) program. Meanwhile, Sorsogon City was commended for its “line of accomplishments in social welfare, made possible through the strong bond and cooperation with the United Nations Human Settlements Program.”
The Pacific Mall Corporation was awarded “for having attained an exemplary performance in large Industry in support to DENR mandates that provide a clean and healthy environment exemplifi ed by its contribution in promoting Waste Segregation and the Waste to Cash Program.”
In the meantime, the municipality of Prieto Diaz, Sorsogon was recognized “for having served as a sound base in developing and promoting viable livelihood by combining agricultural and fi shery production innovations while maintaining the integrity of marine sanctuaries and mangrove forests.”
Finally, Emmanuel De Luna was given recognition “for his unwavering pursuit of innovative endeavors to optimize land productivity, encouraging economic growth and enhancement of the environment in fully realizing the development of a seven-hectare tree plantation, a home to 17,000 mature mahogany, gmelina, narra, and dipterocarps (white and red lauan) species – an exemplary model of a man-made forest in an an urban environment.“ (ASA)