The Municipality of E. B. Magalona is vying for four environment awards: Abanse Negrense Good Environmental Governance Award (ANGEGA)- Sustainability 2 Level; Negros Occidental Governor’s Conservationist Achievement Award (NOGCAA)- both for Individual Category and Local Conservation Area Category; and Abanse Babaye Para sa Dunang Manggad Award (ABPDMA).

The presentation of best practices and evaluation for the four awards were held at Ciano’s Seafood Restaurant in the town Friday [Oct. 14].

Jojo Vargas, head of the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO), presented the municipal nominations for both the ANGEGA-Sustainability 2, and NOGCAA- Local Conservation Area (LCA) Category.

Vargas highlighted the various environmental programs, projects, activities, and initiatives as well as the town’s best practices in environmental protection, conservation, and rehabilitation efforts of the Municipality under the leadership of Mayor Marvin Malacon.

Rosario Dinaga, a teacher of the E. B. Magalona Elementary School, presented the municipality’s best practices for NOGCAA– Individual Category.

Meanwhile, Glecenda Caberte Sacun, president of the Tomongtong Women Workers’ Association in Barangay Tomongtong, presented their best practices for the ABPDMA.

The announcement and awarding of winners will be held in November.

The board of evaluators was composed of the team from the Provincial Environment and Management Office (PEMO) with Vanessa De Dios as lead evaluator; Cheldric Vanzee, Jose Marie Abalajon, Evelyn Cielo, Rusiel Escanilla Placio , Raymond Carlos of TSSD, PMD Marilou Gautier Flor, and RSD Rue Taganile.

The E. B. Magalona presenters cited in their reports the valuable contributions and leadership of Mayor Marvin Malacon, Vice Mayor Eric Matulac, Sangguniang Bayan (SB) members, especially Councilor Isidro Gomed Jr., chair of the SB Committee on Environment; Councilors Edgardo Agravante Jr. and Joey Pugales; the Municipal Planning and Development Office, headed by Engr. Erwin Poniado; the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, headed by Mary Angeline Gustilo; and Municipal Health Office, headed by Dr. Edmundo Janeo Jr.

Vargas also thanked MENRO staff Don Salvador Salcedo, Rizza Garboso, and Ronnie Adorias, and the municipality’s photographer and videographer Andrew Bunda for the photo and video presentation.*

E. B. MAGALONA PIO