The Negros Occidental Governor’s Conservation Achievement awardees were recognized at rites spearheaded by the Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO) at the Negros Residences in Bacolod City on Tuesday, November 23.
The Abanse Babaye para sa Dunang Manggad Awards is one of the categories organized by PEMO.
It is given to acknowledge the key role of Negrense 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, a press release from the Capitol said.
Gov. 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 Julie Ann Bedrio, among others.
Lacson said that humanity is presently pressed and threatened on almost every side, and there is lag on efforts to save the environment, which endangers the future.
The Governors Conservation Achievement Award is the provincial government’s way of recognizing the contributions of special bodies, individuals, LGUs, women and Inter-LGU alliances, he said.
The awardees under the Academe Category are Maritess Rivera, Annabelle Alipoon, Ma. Tressa Elbanbuena, Maribel Gonzales, Sharon Bermejo, Amabel Subong, Maryvic Pedrosa, Gliceria Garancho, Anna Liza and Santillana.
Under the NGOs Category, the awardees are Carmela Ellaga, Kimberly Casipe, Maria Therese Balaan, and Loelyn Castillo.
Under the LGU Category, the awardees are 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; Posthumous Awardees are Lucille Titular and Rubylene de Paula.
The Best Managed LCA are the Brgy. Ermita Marine Protected Area, Binalbagan Coastal Wetlands Conservation Area, Campomanes – Ballo Marine Reserve and Sanctuary; Best LCA Initiatives are Hulao-hulao, Caliling, Cauayan Coastal Conservation Area, EB Magalona Blue Crab Sanctuary and Mangrove Reserve, and Pontevedra Coastal Wetlands Conservation Area.*