THE CITY government of Tagum and the environmental group Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS) officially launched “Duyog Awards” on Monday, March 30.
Duyog Awards is an initiative aimed at recognizing community-driven efforts and contributions to environmental protection and sustainable development, a replication of Lunhaw Awards of the City Government of Davao and the Banwa Awards of Island Garden City of Samal.
Lemuel Manalo, IDIS program coordinator, said environmental conservation initiatives should not necessarily come from policies and compliance but rather from volunteerism and departing from conventional practices.
“It’s very important for us in IDIS, we need to profile and promote environmental practices as much as possible because in this way, we can create a movement and revolution of sustainable practices,” Manalo said during the launch.
Manalo added that with the recognition of the practices, it opens up an opportunity to replicate the same for other individuals and groups.
“We are looking at partnerships anchored on the Sustainable Development Goals, more on collaboration for the citizens. Communities make great impacts, and we want to look at sustainable development on a wider scale,” he added.
Nine awardees are expected to be recognized in three categories, including coastal and marine resource management, forest-based initiatives, and education and advocacy, tentatively during the city’s Environment Week celebration on April 24.
Don Kryle Sy, Tagum City Information head, said the award is designed to honor initiatives and to strengthen collaboration between organizations and the local government.
“Duyog means panag-uban, pakigtambayayong. This is not only about a one-time partnership, but we are talking about a genuine and continuing partnership with the LGU when it comes to advocacies,” Sy said.
He added that there are different organizations in Tagum City that are not necessarily focused on the environment but have programs for it, noting that these groups can also be tapped as partners by future awardees.
“Especially in this time, where we are experiencing a crisis, we need to encourage the public that there are initiatives for the environment and what other groups can do to help, big or small organizations,” he said.
Beyond recognition, the city government envisions the Duyog Awards as a long-term program institutionalized and backed up with local ordinances to make it an annual program.
Judy Ann Legaspi, IDIS coordinator, said the selection process focused on long-standing initiatives that have already demonstrated impact in the city.
“Sustainability is a key criterion in selection, with nominees required to have at least two years of existing operations prior to recognition,” Legaspi said.
