Nine environment stories by SunStar Davao were given recognition in the 1st Luntiang Pluma on Friday, September 30.
The stories written by editor Ace June Rell S. Perez, reporters Ralph Llemit and Krizzy Daugdaug, and former editor Jennie Arado were among the Top 15 finalists out of the 22 entries submitted to Luntiang Pluma 2022.
Arado bagged the top three awards for her entries “How Davao faces its garbage concern,” “Saving Heritage Trees in Davao City,” and “Technology by local inventor used to dispose medical waste from vaccination sites.”
She said she personally cared for the stories she wrote and the issues tackled were close to her heart thus she paid close and careful attention to its progress when she was working on the said articles.
“Maybe that also made them winning pieces because I did not just write them for the sake of writing but I personally wanted for the word to go out there that these stories exist and must be heard,” Arado said.
Also rounding up the Top 5 were “Groups call to halt cutting of 121-year-old tree at Marilog eagles’ nesting site” by Llemit and “War vs Plastic Wastes” by Perez.
“I have been covering various environment stories for the past years, and it is an honor to share stories that create an impact not only for the environment but for the community as well,” long-time reporter Llemit said.
The four other winning articles were “Envi group: Tampakan Open-Pit Mining to also Affect Davao Gulf” by Daugdaug, “Mayor to certify Single-use Plastic Ban Ordinance as Urgent,” by Llemit, and “Conservation of Philippine Eagles takes a Hit Amid Pandemic” and “Home for Pawikans” by Perez.
“Among all of my entries, I think this one is what I am most confident that at least it will be considered or shortlisted because we can always write environmental stories, but what matters the most is the impact that it helps leaders in making the right decisions,” Daugdaug said.
Perez, for his part, said there’s a need to push for more environment stories for sustainable growth and development in the communities.
“There are more stories out there that deserve to be highlighted, and voices of various sectors that need to be heard. We can never achieve our desired sustainable growth if we take out of the picture the environment. With these recognitions, we commit to write and tell more green stories,” he said.
The Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (Idis), the organization behind the Luntiang Pluma, said the entries were judged based Impact (40%), Content (35%), and Style (25%).
The panel of judges included IDIS Board of Trustee and CSO Representative Arnold Vandenbroeck, Davao City Councilor Pilar Braga, and Program Head of Mass Communication Department of University of Mindanao Professor Dinah Hernandez.
Editor-in-Chief Reuel John F. Lumawag is grateful for the recognition bestowed by Idis. SunStar Davao is one in saying that providing a platform for such stories is important to highlight and raise awareness of environmental concerns that could affect the future.
“Through these stories, we hope to provide community leaders with information that can be crucial to their decision-making -- decisions that could affect future generations. We also hope that through these stories, we are able to instill change in the community when it comes to their environmental responsibility,” Lumawag said.
Arado, for her part, said “The trees, the endangered species, our reservoirs, etc do not have voices and public platforms as much as journalists do. I think the least we can do is to speak up for them.”
As part of Idis’ Lunhaw Month, the Luntiang Pluma 2022 is the first of its kind in Davao City that honors and rewards stories that contributed to the resolutions of various environmental problems in the city.
“We at IDIS have recognized the crucial role media plays in environmental protection in Davao City... We are hopeful that with this Luntiang Pluma, we'll be able to advocate for the environment more and encourage people to take action. May this Luntiang Pluma be the beginning of something more positive and progressive for the environment,” Idis said. ICM