THE INTERFACING Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS) launched the 10th Dabaw Lunhaw Awards at the Grand Men Seng Hotel on Sept. 29, marking a decade of recognizing individuals and organizations that help protect and conserve the environment.
The event was organized by IDIS, city government, City Environment and Natural Resource Office, City Agri Office, Davao City Water District, and the Davao Association of Catholic Schools, Inc.
Present at the event was Edgardo Haspe, CAO officer-in-charge, who mentioned the significance of acknowledging organizations, institutions, and individuals, who made a profound impact on the city’s environmental landscape.
“It represents our collective commitment to a brighter, greener, and more sustainable future. This doesn’t just celebrate the achievements, but also renew our commitment to the values and principles that the Lunhaw awards stand for,” Haspe said.
The Lunhaw committee considers the city to have more green activities that need mainstreaming, and though the effects may be small, if carried out across the entire city, they could be beneficial in the fight against climate change.
Councilor Temujin “Tek” Ocampo, environment committee chair, said the progress and orderliness of the community also require the discipline of the people.
“Mulambo og matarong kini atoang dakbayan, kung mutuman ra kita sa balaod ug sa tanang polisiya, labi na sa pagprotekta sa atoang kinaiya,” Ocampo said.
For this year’s recognition, the organization evaluated numerous submissions from the City’s three districts under the initiatives of Sustainable Energy Conservation, Education and Advocacy, Pollution Control, Organic Agriculture, Sustainable Barangay Local Government Unit Initiatives, and Green Champion.
Among the said districts, “The Coco Bowl Story” of Balai Torrentira from Los Amigos, Tugbok won the award for Pollution Control, Bricco Bricks and Blocks and Maningo Perocho Farm for Energy and Water Conservation Initiative, and Mahayag National High School and Josefa Llanes Escoda NHS for Education and Advocacy.
For organic agriculture, the following awardees were Sherwin Ontic’s Diversified Farm in Rural (Medium Scale), Junife Lundas’ Backyard Farming in Rural (Small Scale), and GKK San Lorenzo Ruiz’s FAITH (Food Always in the Home) Program (Small Scale).
The BLGU-Tugbok Proper also won the award for Sustainable BLGU Initiatives, and Abundio Dagohoy Magaway was recognized as the Green Champion for this year.
“Our small business becomes our platform to showcase not only what more we can do but also what less we can make of less plastic, less waste, and less hazard. To be given this award is a major bonus, this strengthens our belief that Dabawenyos are a bunch of people who care,” Aubrey Torrentira, Balai Torrentira owner, and one of the Lunhaw awardees shared.
Arnold Vandenbroeck, the late founder and Board Emeritus of the IDIS, was also commemorated and was given a posthumous award during the said event, in honor of his green initiatives in Davao City.
Lunhaw Awards open its doors for nominees every year, and by this, has increased the extent of its current network of supporters, and stepped up the promotion of local solutions to the city’s environmental issues.
