General Santos City – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 12 together with the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) of Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape (SBPS) has recognized various individuals, people’s organizations (POs), and private companies during the “Baybay Awards: SBPS’ Champion of the Seas 2023” on Friday (March 10) in this city for their exemplary efforts in protecting and conserving the SBPS.
Representative Loreto B. Acharon of the lone district of General Santos City commended the awardees for setting examples in protecting the SBPS despite the global challenges being faced by the environment.
“It is no secret that our planet is facing huge environmental challenges like climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. But as I see these individuals, organizations, and industries being honored today, I am confident that there is hope in our fight against various environmental threats, and that hope is embodied in the awardees we are honoring today,” he said.
After showcasing their commitments, achievements, and efforts in protecting and conserving the SBPS, the “Baybay Awards: SBPS’ Champion of the Seas 2023” were bagged by Sheryl Galo (individual adult category), Roana Caguliodo (individual youth category), Kyle Aboy (individual youth category), and Zone Six Small-Scale Fishermen Association (organization category).
The Seal of Good Environmental Practices category were also received by the following protected area users surrounding the SBPS for their compliance on environmental laws: Cargill Oil Mills Philippines Inc. (silver), Frabelle Fishing Industry (silver), Celebes Canning Corporation (silver), Alliance Select Foods (bronze), White Haven Beach Resort (bronze), RD Fishing Industry (bronze), Phoenix Petroleum Philippines Inc. (bronze), GS SFI Integrated Services Inc. (bronze), and General Milling Corporation (bronze).
Atty. Felix S. Alicer, regional executive director (RED) of the DENR-12 and the concurrent PAMB-SBPS chair, congratulated and thanked all the winners for their participation in this year’s BayBay Awards and reminded them to continue their good environmental practices.
“The SBPS has a lot of challenges and precisely it requires a whole of government approach in order to address these problems. Basically, that’s the reason why the majority of our members in the PAMB are from the local communities and government agencies,” he said.
He added that the DENR alone cannot solve the problems in the SBPS and it requires the support of every agency and individual.
According to Sarangani PENR Officer Maria Elvira V. Lumayag, the “Baybay Awards” aims to motivate the communities to become active and responsible citizens of SBPS.
“We started the “BayBay Awards” last year which concentrated on the best managed and cleanest coastal barangays that showcased best practices in terms of solid waste management, legislation and environmental law enforcement. For this year, we recognized the exemplary people’s organization, environmental champions, and private industries who have shown their good track records, achievements, commitments, and efforts that are indeed possible for the harmonious interaction between men and the environment,” she said. (RSCIGM/DENR 12 FB Page)
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