DAVAO CITY — Davaoeño agriculturists, farmers, advocates and other personalities who practice sustainable and innovative ways to promote a greener environment were recognized last night at the 3rd Lunhaw Awards held in Matina Town Square.
People and organizations whose local contributions on Organic Agriculture, Energy and Water Conservation, Forest-based Initiatives, Pollution Control, Architecture and Urban Greening and Marine Resource Management were acknowledged in the said awards.
Lunhaw was organized by the Interface Development Interventions, Inc. (IDIS) along with the Davao City Agriculturist Office, Davao Association of Catholic Schools, Inc., Davao City Water District and the City Environment and Natural Resources Office.
The Awardees were Vidala G. Albion for using diversified tools and ways in Agro-forestry; Kahayag Farms for providing trainings on organic agriculture production in small communities; and Zandro Gaitano for his integrated projects on forestry for increased profitability while maintaining ecological balance.
Meanwhile, Noel Batario was recognized for his replication of solar-powered lamps using plastic bottles filled with chlorine, which was later adopted in Manila known as “A Liter of Light”; Ricardo N. Obenza, Jr. for his “human-enhanced” natural forest regeneration project and Helen C. Camacho was awarded for her Urban Container Gardening (UCD) project that helps home owners with limited land area to grow plants using recyclable containers and compost household wastes.
Holy Cross College of Calinan was also lauded for devoting its best efforts and attention in managing the environment for the future generations through advocacy campaigns and programs.
Special Awards were also given to Davao Doctor’s College for Rainwater and Biohazard Waste Management; SM City Ecoland for Energy and Water Conservation; TESDA Provincial Training Center Davao for Renewable Energy Promotion and Wynward Valley Organic Vegetable Garden for Urban Organic Gardening practices.
Other finalists included Tugbok Central Elementary School SPED Center, Salvador “Zaldy” Sarong and Jainab Saba-ani.
The Awardees were given a Plaque of Recognition as well as a metal and hardwood trophy designed by Davao’s most celebrated visual artist, Kublai Millan.
Environmental advocates and artists Popong Landero and Maan Chua also performed on stage during the said event. (Joanna Garado, 105.9 Balita FM)