DENR recognizes stakeholders, students in Saringaya Awards and Eagle Quiz Contest

 LEGAZPI CITY - In a bid to drum up support of various stakeholders in environmental conservation, protection and management, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources recently recognized the recipients and winners of the 11^th Saringaya Awards and the 21^st Eagle Quiz Contest in the Environment Month culmination ceremony held at Casa Blanca Hotel, Legazpi City last June 30, 2011.

A Tactical Operations Group, an Environmental Management Department, a corporate network for disaster management, two large scale industries, a university professor and a first class municipality were among this year’s conferees of the prestigious environmental conservation award.

The Saringaya Awardees are: Energy Development Corporation- Bacman Geothermal Production Field, Environmental Management Department thru the leadership of Environmental Superintendent Engr. Leo Zancho A. Mago (Special Category); Amelia B. Gonzales, a professor at Bicol University (Individual Category); Tactical Operations Group 5, 1^st Air Division Phillipine Air Force (PAFTOG) thru the able leadership of Col. Guillermo A. Molina Jr. II (Other Government Agency); Corporate Network for Disaster Response Calabanga, Camarines Sur thru the able leadership of President, Board of Trustees Ramon R. Isberto (PO/NGO Category); Masbate Gold Project of FILMINERA Resources Corp. and Phil. Gold Processing and Refining Corp. for the 1^st award and the Rapu-Rapu Polymetallic Project of Rapu-Rapu Minerals Inc. and Rapu-Rapu Processing Inc. for the 2^nd award (Large-Scale Industry Category); as well as the Municipality of Ragay thru the able leadership of Honorable Mayor Ricardo B. Aquino ( Local Government Unit).

Environmental Management Bureau Director Atty. Juan Miguel T. Cuna, Saringaya’s guest of honor and key note speaker conferred the plaque of recognition to the awardees. He also persuaded them to continue their achievements and advocacy for the good of the environment.

DENR Regional Executive Director Joselin Marcus Fragada rallied the awardees to continue supporting the green cause, to pursue further excellence in environmentalism and conservation.

“Conferment of Saringaya Awards to anyone should not translate to a plateau, or a lull in their life’s campaign for environmentalism, love of nature as well as conservation… We should see it as a lifetime inspiration to do our share,” he emphasized in a speech at the awarding ceremony.

Saringaya Awards acknowledged the efforts and dynamic support of diverse individuals and entities in ecological conservation, environmental protection and management and sustainable use of natural resources. It also recognized the involvement of individuals, industries, groups, non-government organizations, other government agencies and local government units in the programs of DENR Bicol.

Saringaya is a Bicol term which means lush or abundance of growth. (A synonymous Bikol word is "marambong").

Meanwhile, winners of the 21^st Regional Eagle Quiz Contests were also honored during the culmination event. June Lorenz Capin from University of Nueva Caceres and Chris Gino Mesias from Legazpi Cty High School were awarded with plaques and cash prize after they won in the regional competition held at the Embarcadero de Legazpi Activity Center.

The other winners of the EQC in the elementary category are, Glenn Paolo B. Morales of Daet Elementary School of Camarines Norte (1^st runner up); Catherine C. Valeza of Catanduanes State College Laboratory School (2^nd runner up); while in the secondary category those who excelled were, Raymond A. Odesimo of Camarines Sur National High School Camarines Sur (1^st runner up) and Mara Angeli V. Sarabillo of Vinzons Pilot High School of Camarines Norte (2^nd runner up).

Among the eco-friendly activities in Bicol for the Environment Month observance were tree planting, Media Information Campaign, Let’s Tune Up to Clean Up the Air, Anti-smoke belching campaign with the Land Transportation Office and the “2011 Pataramisan Sagkud Padarakulaan”The Gumihan and Baligang Challenge.

Environment Month is held every June since 1987 when then President Corazon Aquino issued Proclamation No. 237 not only as a "gesture of support to the cause of enhancing world ecology but also as a recognition of the imperative need to instill environmental awareness among the various sectors of society." Forests: Nature at Your Service is the theme of this year’s Environmental month celebration. (JESSEL BASANTA/Cindy Balmaceda)