Nominations for Saringaya Awards on-going

LEGAZPI CITY, May 1 – The search is ongoing for nominees of this year’s Saringaya Award, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Bicol’s recognition for exemplary individuals, groups organizations and corporate entities who made a niche in environmental protection, conservation and management.

On its 12^th year now, Saringaya Award is given to industries, non-government organizations, people organization, local government units, groups or associations, other government agencies, the Academe and other entities in the Bicol region who, as a group, corporate body or individuals have supported DENR Bicol through the establishment and implementation of the program towards protection, conservation, and safety of the environment.

DENR Regional Executive Director Joselin Marcus E. Fragada had earlier ordered all operating units of the DENR V such as the line bureaus, sectoral services, Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Offices (PENROs) and Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices (CENROs) to identify the potential nominees from industries, NGOs, POs, institutions among others, that may be cited for the award in their respective area of responsibility.

Last year’s winners were: 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 Philippine Air Force (PAFTOG) through 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).

Nomination forms may be obtained from all Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO), Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) and the DENR Legal Division.

Saringaya is a Bicol term for abundance of growth, lush, and healthy environment teeming with green trees and mountains ideal for biodiversity and a well balance ecosystem.

Saringaya Award, which is in the form of a plaque and certificate, is done during the culmination program of the Environment Month celebration in June. (Ruby Mendones, DENR/PIA Sorsogon)