DAVAO CITY— The annual Lunhaw Awards are now open for applicants who advocate eco-friendly activities in the city.
The 2017 Lunhaw Awards will have two new categories: outstanding environmental advocates and the barangay or local government environment initiatives.
Ann Fuertes, Lunhaw co-organizer and also Interface Development Interventions, Inc. (IDIS) executive director said the new categories seek to recognize environmental sustainability practices, with the aim of sharing the most creative initiatives to inspire change.
“These initiatives must be also able to demonstrate effectiveness and be part of a long-term commitment,” she said.
Along with the two new categories, Fuertes said that Lunhaw Awards is given to Davao’s outstanding environmental initiatives in the areas of Organic Agriculture, Green Building, Forest-based Initiatives, Marine Resource Management, Education and Advocacy, Pollution Control and Energy or Water Conservation.
The Lunhaw Awards are given annually during the week-long celebration of the city’s charter-hood in March 2017.
The awards this year will be co-organized by the City Agriculturist’s Office (CAO), City Environmental and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), Davao Association of Colleges and Schools (DACS), Davao City Water District (DCWD), and the Interface Development Interventions (IDIS).
“The 5th Lunhaw Awards is open to all organizations, academic and business institutions, small groups, or clubs, communities, households and individuals who are practicing and engaging in green initiatives for at least two years or above. Green initiatives that won other awards are also eligible to join the 5th Lunhaw Awards,”
The criteria for judging will be 25 percent for environmental benefits, 20 percent for economic benefits, 20 percent for sustainability, 15 percent for replicability, 15 percent for innovation and five percent for years of practice.
The application form will be available at Lunhaw Awards website, www.idisphil.org and can be submitted by sending email to lunhawawards@gmail.com.
Application forms are also available at CAO office at C. Bangoy DLPC, CENRO office at Palma Gil St. Poblacion District, People’s Park, DACS office at 413 corner Aguho and Champaca Sts, Juna Subdivision and submit the forms to IDIS office at 2nd floor, ALMACEN building, Catalunan Pequeño, Davao City.
The recognition is currently limited to Davao –based environmental initiatives, but Fuertes said they could expand it soon to include other regions. (Maria Patricia C. Borromeo/davaotoday.com)