NEGROS Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. received the People’s Gratitude Movement or the “Pasalamat sa Katauhan” award from the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) during a recognition ceremony for Outstanding Contributions to the Environment Wednesday, July 25, at the UN Conference Centre in Bangkok, Thailand.
The award, which seeks to recognize and reward good practices, is a recognition of the governor’s contributions for the conservation, protection and rehabilitation initiatives for the environment.
The governor is one of the six awardees from the Philippines. Others were Paulo Burro, Racquel Nacionggayo, Iloilo Governor Art Defensor, lawyer Golly Ramos of Oceana, and lawyer Philip Camiging of the Office of the Ombudsman for the Visayas.
Marañon was recognized for his initiatives over the years as mayor of Sagay City, congressman, and governor of the province and as one of the founding members of the Visayan Sea Squadron.
His initiatives such as the establishment of the 32,000-hectare Sagay Marine Reserve; the creation of Task Force Lawod which aims to protect the coastal waters of the province; and the rehabilitation of coastal resources thru the establishment of the Blue Swimming Crab Hatchery and Seeding resulted to the increase of economic opportunities for the marginal fisherfolks in the province.
World-renowned environmental lawyer Antonio Oposa said the award is a testament of the governor’s commitment and passion for the environment and is a very good example that people should look up to.
“There is no limit to what we can accomplish if we unleash the genius of the human heart,” he added.
The awarding took place after the conference on Advancing Environmental Law Together: Regional Meeting of UN Environment Montevideo Focal Points in the Asia Pacific, and was co-hosted by the Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development based in Washington DC, United States.
Marañon was accompanied by his wife Dr. Marilyn Marañon, daughter Carmela Valderrama and husband Patrick, and Provincial Environment Management Officer (PEMO) Wilfred Ramon Peñalosa. (PR)