SORSOGON CITY, Sorsogon (PIA) — The city government of Sorsogon was awarded the Saringaya Award this year in the local government unit (LGU) category by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Bicol.
The Saringaya Awards, now in its 22nd year, marked the conclusion of the Environment Month 2024 celebration by honoring outstanding individuals, academe, people’s organizations or non-government organizations, industry, and local government units for their efforts and advocacies in environmental protection and conservation.
Expressing great joy over Sorsogon City’s achievement, Hamor mentioned that the city won the award on its first attempt at the competition, surpassing 107 municipalities and 7 cities in the Bicol region in the LGU category.
“This is our first time and we got 98 percent. I am very happy because we really wanted this award, that’s why in our very first try we saw to it that we would get the first place,” said Hamor.
City Environment and Natural Resources Officer Ronando Gerona attributed the award to the full support provided by the city government and various sectors such as the academe, people’s organizations, and the private organizations.
These entities have been unrelenting partners in environmental protection and conservation advocacies.
“We couldn’t do it alone, especially in the implementation of the very intensive programs, that’s why we tapped all sectors of the community,” he added.
Sorsogon City has been praised for its efforts in meeting environmental quality standards. The city has established a sanitary landfill with a wastewater treatment facility, implemented a refuse-derived fuel facility, managed hazardous wastes, and installed solar-powered weather stations, streetlights, and emergency operation systems.
Additionally, Sorsogon City has been recognized for its Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Programs and Environmental Information Campaigns (EIC).
The city was also commended for its 10 Plus 1 + 1 Agenda Gayon Sorsogon Program, the Sagip Puno and Kalikasan program, which involves planting 150,000 trees annually for three years, and the Kalinigan program. In addition, Legazpi City in Albay and Libmanan in Camarines Sur were finalists in the LGU category, and the winner for the academe category was Catanduanes State University.
The Saringaya Awards has been awarded to several recipients across different categories:
– Basud Elementary School in Sorsogon City has received a special citation in a specific category.
– The Socio-Pastoral Action Center Foundation of Daet, Incorporated has presented the Saringaya Awards in the People’s Organization/Non-Governmental Organization category.
– Clark Buncaras from Masbate City has been honored in the individual category.
– The Energy Development Corporation has been awarded in the industry category and has also been recognized for its mangrove rehabilitation initiatives, receiving accolades from the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) V.
The Saringaya Awards has played a pivotal role in fostering collaboration and support among DENR partners and stakeholders, reinforcing core values of transparency, accountability, participation, and public service.
Regional Executive Director Francisco Milla, Jr. emphasized that the conferment of the Saringaya Awards symbolized recognition for the impactful efforts of the awardees in preserving, sustaining, managing, and protecting biodiversity and the environment.
Saringaya is an old Bicol term that refers to an abundance of growth, a lush and healthy environment filled with green trees and mountains, ideal for biodiversity and a well-balanced ecosystem.
The 22nd Saringaya Awards, organized by the DENR Bicol in partnership with the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Bicol and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Bicol, took place on June 24, 2024, at the Maison Hotel in Gogon, Legazpi City. (PIA5/Sorsogon)
