THE Cebu Normal University (CNU) researchers who secured the second place in the nationwide action research contest were awarded with the Lockton Legacy Awards on January 7, 2020.
The awarding ceremony took place at the CNU’s Center for Teacher Excellence building in Cebu City.
The Lockton Legacy Awards was launched for the first time on September 18, 2019 by Lockton Philippines -- one of the country’s leading insurance and risk management providers -- on their 25th anniversary. Its aim was to recognize research initiatives to safeguard the environment.
CNU received a certificate of recognition and a check in the amount of P50,000. The research team’s faculty adviser got P25,000, while the students took home P75,000.
The winning team was composed of Bachelor of Secondary Education-Science 2B students -- Deann Martin T. Durano, Renz John Espinosa and Tyra Lee L. Ibale. Jennifer D. Paño, a doctor in philosophy, acted as their adviser.
Women empowerment
The team’s research entry was titled “Women Empowerment, Waste Management and Livelihood Building Capacity of the Community through Vermicomposting.”
The group’s research proposal was situated in Tuyan, a coastal barangay in Naga City, Cebu, where the team promoted solid waste management, livelihood and empowerment of women through vermicomposting.
According to Paño, vermicomposting is a means to achieve the group’s aims. Employment rate for women in the village was low, the group said.
Vermicomposting has provided Tuyan residents a source of income, as well as an efficient waste management system.
Overjoyed
The student-researchers were overjoyed after their work was chosen as among the best.
“As a student, it is overwhelming and it is flattering to think that we were able to contribute to the environment through (our) research,” Espinosa said in an interview with Ang Suga, CNU’s official student publication.
He further said the group’s victory was timely as CNU has launched its advocacy for the environment called iGreen CNU.
Durano, on the other hand, cited balancing their time between academics and making the research paper as a challenge that they’ve encountered, while Ibale’s concern was the willingness of the respondents.
In her closing remarks, CNU president Filomena Dayagbil expressed her gratitude to Lockton Philippines and its chief executive officer Victorio Valledor for attending the awarding ceremony and celebrating the researchers’ success. (Phebe Soronio and Orly Joromat of Ang Suga)