DABAWENYOS who contributed and played a vital role in making Davao City greener and sustainable were feted in the 7th Dabaw Lunhaw Awards held Friday evening at Grand Men Seng Hotel.
The awardees were Leopoldo T. Pama and Huni Farm (organic agriculture category); Herminia Posadas (organic agriculture category); Toyota Davao Body and Paint Center and Davao Thermo Biotech Corp. Pollution Control (green building and urban greening); and Cadalian Elementary School and Emillio Ramos National High School (education and advocacy category).
Barangays Gumalang in Baguio District and Lasang in Bunawan District were also recognized under the Local government unit (LGU)-led initiative in addressing solid waste management.
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and D’ Bone Collector Museum director Darrel Blachley were also recognized for the Green Champion initiative.
The city mayor was recognized for her exemplary leadership in implementing environmental policies and programs towards a greener and sustainable city while Blatchley was recognized for his outstanding environmental advocacy “who tirelessly labors in educating people on how to protect marine life and address the solid waste problem in Davao City”.
Blatchley, in a text message, was thankful for the recognition.
“It’s an honor for us at the museum, and it was the first event that I had my two sons proxy for me. I am proud of my sons as they say they will be the ones to continue this mission,” Blatchley said.
Acting Mayor Alberto Ungab, who represented Duterte-Carpio during the awarding ceremony, said the City Government lauded Lunhaw’s goal in advocating more environmental advocates for the city’s greener and sustainable development.
“May your laudable examples serve to inspire more Dabawenyos to towards making our city, and our country, a cleaner, greener home for all of us today and for the generations that will come after us,” Ungab said.
Lunhaw Awards was an event organized by the city government of Davao, in partnership with Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (Idis), City Agriculturist Office, City Environment and Natural Resources Office, Davao City Water District, and Davao Association of Catholic Schools (Dacs).
The award aimed to give recognition to Dabawenyos for their green initiatives, which could be replicated in the communities in the city.
Blatchley, in a text message, said he is thankful for the recognition.
“It’s an honor for us at the museum, and it was the first event that I had my two sons proxy for me. I am proud of my sons as they say they will be the ones to continue with this mission,” Blatchley said.
Acting Mayor Alberto Ungab, who represented Duterte-Carpio during the event, said the city government lauded Lunhaw’s goal in advocating more environmental advocates for the city’s greener and sustainable development.
“May your laudable examples serve to inspire more Dabawenyos to towards making our city, and our country, a cleaner, greener home for all of us today and for the generations that will come after us,” Ungab said.
Idis board of trustee Arnold Vandenbroeck, meanwhile, said Lunhaw Awards recognized both individuals from poor communities and large corporations to show that everyone can contribute and play their role in making Davao city greener and sustainable.
Idis executive director Chinkie Peliño-Golle said this year marks the first Lunhaw Awards held during the Lunhaw Month by virtue of Executive Order 28 series of 2018 signed by the mayor Sara declaring September as Lunhaw Month and creating the Lunhaw Awards Committee to institutionalize the recognition of green initiatives in Davao City.
“We are happy, because as of now, we already awarded 90 plus Lunhaw awardees, and we hope to add (more) in the future,” Peliño-Golle said.