SAN FERNANDO CITY – Seven local government units and 3 famous inland water destinations in the province of La Union received Php 9 million worth of environment and agri-tourism related projects for being adjudged as cleanest, safest, and greenest award held at Diego Silang Hall, Provincial Capitol Wednesday afternoon, June 20, 2018.
The awarding ceremony is inline with the environment month celebration themed “beat plastic pollution” conducted by the office of the provincial government – environment natural resources division.
The provincial government presented the recognition to the municipalities that garnered the highest scores after a validation of composite team in 2017, considering several criteria in general cleanliness of the municipality, urban space greening, support systems for environmental management, and protection and people’s participation.
Public safety and order was also considered during the visit which included indicators and measures on crime statistics and implementation of crime, drug and road hazard prevention programs.
For the 1st to 3rd class municipality category, Agoo town bagged the first place bringing home Php. 1.5M worth of projects, while Naguilian is second place with Php. 1M. Bacnotan is third with Php. 500,000.
In the 4th to 5th class category, San Gabriel bagged the first place bringing home Php. 1M, followed by Caba as second and Santol as third, bringing home Php. 750,000 and Php. 500,000, respectively.
A special award and citation was given to the City of San Fernando, La Union which received by Mayor Hermenegildo Dong Gualberto together with City Environment Natural Resources Office staff worth Php 1.5M worth to be used for environment and agri-tourism related project fund.
Meanwhile, winners of the cleanest inland bodies of water are: first place – ‘Tapuakan’ River in Pugo town good for Php 1M worth of projects, trailed by second placer the ‘Tangadan’ falls in San Gabriel town with Php. 750,000, and Bagulin River in Bagulin town at third with Php. 500,000 worth.
The awarding was graced by Assistant Secretary Joselin Marcus E. Fragada, field operations-Luzon, who was the guest of honor and representative of DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu.
Aside from Fragada, local officials from the province who also assisted the assistant secretary are Vice-Gov. Aureo Agusto Nisce, who represented Gov. Emmanuel Francisco Ortega III, Director Reynulfo Juan, DENR-region 1, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), ARD. Donald James Gawe, and Regional Dir. Ma. Victoria Abrera-DENR EMB.
By Erwin Beleo
Banner photo: CLEANEST SAFEST AND GREENEST AWARD – Officials from the environment authorities led by ASec. Joselin Marcus Fragada, field operations-Luzon, given the awards to San Fernando City, La Union as special award and citation which received by Mayor Hermenegildo Dong Gualberto together with CENRO staff held during the awarding ceremony of cleanest, safest, and greenest award as part of environment month celebration at Diego Silang Hall, provincial capitol, San Fernando City, La Union Wednesday (June 20, 2018). Also in photos (L-R): DENR-region 1 Dir. Reynulfo Juan; National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) ARD. Donald James Gawe; Vice-Gov. Aureo Agusto Nisce; Mayor Gualberto; ASec. Fragada; Board Member Kit Ortega; and Regional Dir. Ma. Victoria Abrera-DENR EMB. (Photo by: ERWIN BELEO)
