ILOILO – Twenty local government units (LGUs) were recognized by the Iloilo Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office (PGENRO) for their efforts, initiatives and programs on ecological and sustainable solid waste management.
The Gawad KKK (Kalinisan, Kalusugan at Kasagana-an) Year 7 awarding ceremony was held during the culminating program of the 2nd Provincial Environmental Awareness Month at Casa Real de Iloilo on Tuesday morning, Nov. 28.
“To acknowledge man sang ila efforts and performance on solid waste management. Matagaan ta sila sang incentives para ma-motivate man ang iban to sustain ang ila programs and activities,” Mitzi Peñaflorida, senior environmental management specialist of PGENRO, told Panay News.
The LGUs and the ratings they received:
* Good but needs improvement (79 and below percent rating) – Tubungan, San Miguel, and Batad. Each received a P30,000 cash incentive and a certificate of recognition.
* Satisfactory (80 to 84 percent rating) – Leon, New Lucena, Sta. Barbara, Dueñas, and Barotac Viejo. Each with a P50,000 cash incentive and a certificate of recognition.
* Very satisfactory (85 to 89 percent rating) – Tigbauan, Bingawan, Janiuay, Lambunao, Dingle, and Concepcion. Each with a P100,000 cash incentive and certificate of recognition.
* Ideal (90 to 94 percent rating) – Oton, Leganes, Pavia, Mina, and Dumangas. Each with a P200,000 cash incentive and a certificate of recognition.
* Excellent (95 to 100 percent rating) – Ajuy; with a P300,000 cash incentive and certificate of recognition.
Provincial Administrator Raul Banias, PGENRO chief Atty. Cesar Emmanuel Buyco, and Environmental Management Bureau Region 6 director Ramar Niel V. Pascua led the awarding of the 20 LGUs.
The different categories to assess their solid waste management initiatives were: environmental organization (15 points), education (10 points), engineering (30 points), enforcement (25 points), economic sustainability (four points), health sanitation (five points), and support for growth (10 points).
“In place na ila [Ajuy] system from environmental organization, education, engineering, enforcement, economic sustainability, health and sanitation, and greening program. Very active ila MENRO and supportive local officials down sa barangay level,” Peñaflorida explained why Ajuy was the sole recipient of the excellent rating.
This September, Ajuy was named the first runner-up in the Malinis at Masaganang Karagatan (MMK) Awards by the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
MMK acknowledges the exceptional initiatives and contributions of coastal municipalities and cities towards sustainable fisheries development. These initiatives may include combating illegal fishing, adopting an ecosystem-based approach to sea management, establishing marine protected areas or fisheries-managed zones, conducting coastal cleanups, and promoting mangrove propagation and rehabilitation, among others./PN
