The Negros Occidental Governor’s Conservation Achievement awardees were recognized on Wednesday at rites spearheaded by the Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO) held at Negros Residences in Bacolod City.
The Abanse Babaye para sa Dunang Manggad Award, organized by PEMO, is given to outstanding Negrense women to acknowledge the key role of women in environmental stewardship, to support women’s leadership in decision making, and to promote the positive impact women make in the conservation of the environment.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson led the awarding ceremony together with Board Member Rita Gatuslao, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz, Executive Assistant to the Governor Charina Magallanes-Tan and Marie June Castro, and PEMO head Atty. Julie Ann Bedrio, among others.
Lacson said that humanity is presently pressed and threatened on almost every side, and there is a lag on efforts to save the environment, which endangers the future.
He said that the Governor’s Conservation Achievement Award is the provincial government’s way of recognizing the contributions of special bodies, individuals, local government units (LGUs), women, and inter-LGU alliances.
The awardees are the following:
Academe Category
Maritess Rivera, Annabelle Alipoon, Ma. Tressa Elbanbuena, Maribel Gonzales, Sharon Bermejo, Amabel Subong, Maryvic Pedrosa, Gliceria Garancho, and Anna Liza Santillana
NGOs Category
Carmela Ellaga, Kimberly Casipe, Maria Therese Balaan, and Loelyn Castillo
LGU Category
Mary Ann Pabalate, Rosemary Estellina, Erlita Chua, Jenny Sarmiento Valencia, Margarita Francisco, Shirley Nacion, Mirriam Gargarita, Ma. Elisa Ebojo, Ana Mae Claro, Rosalinda Canoso, Leonila Orleans, Aida Gando, April Joy Arroyo, and Rosebella Malo
Meanwhile, Lucille Titular and Rubylene de Paula received the posthumous award.
Other awardees were Brgy. Ermita Marine Protected Area, Binalbagan Coastal Wetlands Conservation Area, Campomanes-Ballo Marine Reserve and Sanctuary as the Best Managed LCA; Hulao-hulao, Caliling, Cauayan Coastal Conservation Area, EB Magalona Blue Crab Sanctuary and Mangrove Reserve, and Pontevedra Coastal Wetlands Conservation Area as Best LCA Initiatives./WDJ