MULTI-AWARDED journalist Ian Ocampo Flora of SunStar Pampanga bagged two of the major awards in the Philippine Agricultural Journalists-San Miguel Corp. (PAJ-SMC) “Binhi” Awards held at the Makati Diamond Residences last Thursday, March 28.

Flora won first place in both categories of Environment Journalist of the Year and third place for Agribeat Reporter of the Year. Flora’s body of works in the said categories includes compelling articles on environmental conservation as well as community news on agriculture, climate change and fisheries.

Flora also won the Climate Change Story of the Year for his story “Economic losses and lesser yield: Agriculture sector faces greatest impact from climate change” which detailed the economic impact of climate change in the agriculture and business sector of Central Luzon.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Pinol, PAJ president Alfred Gabot and former Agriculture secretary Senen Bacani, chairman of the board of judges presented Flora with trophies and cash prizes.

The PAJ has been conducting the Binhi Awards since 1978 to recognize the efforts of media persons covering the agriculture, environment and agrarian reform beats, including writers, editors and broadcast journalists for their reportage, agricultural publications, radio and television programs, and information campaign, said PAJ past president Roman Floresca, and retired business editor of the Philippine Star.

Other winners include:

Agricultural Journalist of the Year – Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas of the Business Mirror (first place); Fermin Diaz of LAMB Magazine (second place); and Louise Maureen Simeon of The Philippine Star (third place).

Environment Journalist of the Year – Jonathan L. Mayuga of the Business Mirror (second Place); and Louise Maureen Simeon of the Philippine Star and Erwin Mascariñas of the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Mindanao Gold Star (third place).

Agribeat Reporter of the Year – Louise Maureen Simeon of the Philippine Star (second place); and Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas of the Business Mirror and Madeleine B. Miraflor of the Manila Bulletin (third place).

Agri Photo Journalist of the Year – Erwin Mascariñas of the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Mindanao Gold Star.

Best Agriculture News Story of the Year - Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas of the Business Mirror.

Best Environment Story of the Year, Best Agriculture Feature Story of the Year, Best Water Sustainability of the Year - Jonathan L. Mayuga of the Business Mirror.

Best Agriculture/Environment Section of a National Newspaper—Business Mirror

Agricultural Magazine of the Year – PhilRice Magazine of the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Philippine Rice Research Institute.

Agricultural Newsletter of the Year – “Bubalus” of the DA-Philippine Carabao Center.

National Agricultural Radio Program of the Year – “Pinoy Scientist,” Radyo Agila.

Regional Agricultural Radio Program of the Year – “Bukid at Buhay,” DA-PhilRice.

Agricultural Information and Media Campaign of the Year – “Storytelling #CacaoDavao Experience,” DA-Region 11.

Judges for the competition include Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Monetary Board Member Bruce J. Tolentino, veteran journalist and educator Dr. Crispin Maslog; SMC AVP for corporate and media affairs Mary Jane Llanes Oconer; and broadcast journalist and former party-list representative Angelo B. Palmones. (JTD)