To culminate the celebration of Philippine Environment Month 2024, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Bicol led by Regional Executive Director Francisco E. Milla, Jr., in partnership with the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Bicol and Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Bicol has recognized exceptional individuals, academe, people’s organization/non-government organization, industry and local government units for their efforts and advocacies on environmental protection and conservation during the 22nd Saringaya Awards held on June 24, 2024 at the Marison Hotel, Gogon, Legazpi City.
Over the years, the Saringaya Awards has fostered collaboration and support among DENR stakeholders, strengthening core values of transparency, accountability, participation, and public service.
For the Academe Category, Catanduanes State University was recognized for its Tanggol Kalikasan and PIPERS initiatives, the Smart Greenhouse Project, which enhances agricultural productivity, and the repurposing of plastic wastes in the university. Basud Elementary School in Sorsogon City also received a Special Citation in the same category.
Meanwhile, the City Government of Sorsogon was awarded for the Local Government (LGU) Category. The City under the leadership of Mayor Ma. Ester E. Hamor was praised for meeting Environmental Quality Standards, establishing a Sanitary Landfill with a wastewater treatment facility, implementing a Refuse-Derived Fuel Facility, managing hazardous wastes, installing solar-powered weather stations, streetlights, and emergency operation systems, and for their Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Programs and Environmental Information Campaigns (EIC). Additionally, Sorsogon was recognized for their 10 Plus 1 + 1 Agenda Gayon Sorsogon Program, the Sagip Puno and Kalikasan programs, which include planting 150,000 trees annually for three years, and the Kalinigan program. Finalists in the LGU Category included LGU Legazpi City in Albay and LGU Libmanan in Camarines Sur.
The Socio-Pastoral Action Center Foundation of Daet, Incorporated was also awarded the Saringaya Awards under the People’s Organization/Non-Governmental Organization category for the strong involvement of Indigenous Peoples (IPs) in their projects, development of a Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) programs, among others.
Meanwhile, Mr. Clark N. Buncaras from Masbate City was lauded for his significant efforts in mangrove rehabilitation, restoration and preservation of vital coastal ecosystems.
The Energy Development Corporation was conferred the Award for the Industry Category for their exemplary efforts in institutionalizing health, environment, and safety policies, and the implementation of “No Plastic” Policy. The EDC also established multiple linkages through Memorandums of Agreement (MOAs), and launched the “Adopt an Estero” Program. They were also recognized for their mangrove rehabilitation initiatives and received accolades from the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) V.
Additionally, the DENR Bicol recognized its partners such as the National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine National Police (PNP) Regional Police Office V, Philippine Coast Guard District (PCGD) Bicol, Philippine Army (PA) 9th Infantry Division, Naval Forces – Southern Luzon (NAVFORSOL), Department of Justice (DOJ) National Prosecution Service, Philippine Air Force – Tactical Operations Group (PAF-TOG) 5, Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA), UBS Marketing Corporation, and Geodetic Engineers of the Philippines (GEP) Inc. Region V for their invaluable support in the efforts of the DENR to protect, conserve, and manage our environment and natural resources.
RED Milla emphasized that the conferment of the Saringaya Awards symbolizes recognition for the impactful efforts of our awardees in preserving, sustaining, managing, and protecting our biodiversity and environment.
The term “Saringaya,” which means lush or abundant growth in Bicol, reflects the richness and vitality of Bicol’s natural resources.
(Source: DENR Bicol)