DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/06 June) – The Interface Development Interventions (IDIS) has opened the 2017 cycle of Lunhaw Awards for the best local environmental and agricultural initiatives.
IDIS executive director Mary Ann Fuertes told Kapehan sa Dabaw on Monday that the awards aim to highlight the best practices of groups and individuals in areas of sustainable environmental and agricultural initiatives.
She said “the initiatives that we promote are being copied by other individuals and groups,” citing the 2012 Lunhaw Awardee Jojo Rom for his urban container gardening that has been replicated.
The awards have recognizes awardees under the following categories – Organic Agriculture, Green Building, Forest-based Initiatives, Marine Resource Management, Education and Advocacy, Pollution Control, and Energy or Water Consevation.
But for 2017, Fuertes said IDIS will add two more categories – Outstanding Environmental Advocates and Barangay or Local Government Environmental Initiatives – which will recognize green champions in the community.
“The new categories seek to recognize environmental sustainability practices, with the aim of sharing the most creative initiatives to inspire change. These initiatives must be able to demonstrate effectiveness and be part of a long-term commitment,” she added.
An award briefer said nominees for Outstanding Environmental Advocates must have a track record of at least three years in leadership, vision, and action for the environment.
IDIS will screen the nominees to ensure that its environmental principles are protected and no one among the candidates are engaged in mining, quarrying, logging, and other environmentallyvdestructive activities.
A barangay or local government environmental initiative, which will be judged based on sustainability, innovation, and replicability, should be hinged on the existing local and national environmental policies.
IDIS has partnered with the City Agriculturist Office, City Environment and Natural Resources Office, Davao Association of Colleges and Schools and Davao City Water District.
DACS executive director Jimmy Dela Vega said their participation in the awards sends “a strong message, being an institution of learning, that schools support initiatives” that aim to promote best environmental and agricultural practices.
“This would encourage market for organic products with clear economic development in the community to which the project is found,” he said.
The awarding ceremony will be held in March 2017 in time for the month-long Araw ng Dabaw celebration.
The 2016 Lunhaw Awardees were Josephine Ba for her Organic Concoctions and Green Bounty Agri Produce for the Organic Agriculture, Abreeza of the Ayala Malls for Green Architecture, Radyo Tacunan’s Community Audio Towers under the Education and Advocacy, and MyHotel Rainwater Harvesting System for Earth and Water Conservation. (Antonio L. Colina IV/MindaNews)