The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), in partnership with Globe Telecom, Inc., honored local government units, groups, and individuals at the 2023 Mga Kwentong Klima-likasan Tungo sa Katatagan: A Climate and Disaster Resiliency Recognition Awards. The ceremony, held at Armada Hotel Manila on November 22, 2023, spotlighted inspiring and good stories of environmental stewardship and commitment to climate and disaster resilience in the observance of the National Climate Change Consciousness Week on November 19-25, 2023.
Marking its third year, the Mga Kwentong KLIMA-likasan Recognition Awards continue to serve as a significant platform, acknowledging contributions and initiatives in tackling environmental concerns, addressing climate change, and implementing effective disaster risk reduction measures.
"This recognition award is our way of promoting awareness, inspiring collective responsibility for environmental conservation, and fostering action towards climate resilience," said Director Elenida Basug of DENR Climate Change Service.
The event showcased 12 good stories across three categories: individual, group, and local government units. Each category included special citations honoring Gender Equality and Climate Technology for Resilience.
Paul Lester Dellosa from Legazpi City, Albay, secured First Place in the individual category for his work in "Environment and Sustainable Fashion." Meanwhile, Nida A. Collado of San Vicente, Palawan, earned Second Place and the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Award for her dedicated involvement in the "Macatumbalen Community-Based Forest and Coastal Management Association." The innovative "NUVITRON Electronic Fuel Economizer," by Perlito G. Cabauatan from Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya, claimed the Climate Technology for Resilience Award in the individual category.
In the group category, the Sultan Kudarat State University's "Kuwentong Klima-likasan" initiative from Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat, and Jose "Boy" Tuason's "Hijo Marine Protected Area - Seagrass Meadows of Trinity Project" from Tagum City, Davao del Norte, secured First and Second Place, respectively. The Compostela Central Elementary School SPED Center in Compostela, Davao de Oro, received the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Award.
Recognizing outstanding contributions, the City Government of Tagum in Davao del Norte received First Place in the local government category for their "Project Reef Enhancement through Ecosystem Fortification." The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of Palawan earned Second Place, representing the Provincial Local Government Unit of Palawan, while the Local Government Unit of Kasibu in Nueva Vizcaya received the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Award in this category.
The good stories will be officially communicated and submitted to the International Good Stories Movement which also aims to identify, recognize, and honor the people behind them.
The awarding ceremony was done alongside the conduct of the DENR’s partnership with De La Salle University, on “Institutionalizing Climate Leadership and Environmentalism (InClinE) Training among Youth Groups in Schools and Universities.” Speaking before teachers and youth leaders, Dir. Basug emphasized, “As we celebrate these remarkable initiatives, we envision many more years of inspiring a sustainable movement for the well-being of future generations. Let us also acknowledge that our journey towards a more resilient future is ongoing. There is still a lot of ground to cover, a lot of minds to enlighten, and a lot of innovative solutions to develop.”
The National Climate Change Consciousness Week, pursuant to Proclamation No. 1667, series of 2008, is an annual observance that aims to create awareness of global warming and climate change by pursuing broad and intensive public information and education campaigns.###
