ILOILO – For its successful and satisfactory performance in the implementation of solid waste management program, the municipality of Bingawan emerged as winner among the 29 participating local government units (LGUs) in the search for the 2019 Gawad Kalinisan, Kalusugan, at Kasaganaan Award (Gawad KKK) for outstanding LGU for E+3S.
Previously known as the Clean and Green contest, Gawad KKK spearheaded by the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) aims to evaluate and assess the implementation of the solid waste management program by the LGUs.
Mitzi Peñaflorida, PENRO senior environmental management specialist, said Bingawan town has gained the highest score with its establishment of a final disposal facility.
Bingawan led by town mayor Mark Palabrica received a trophy and a cash prize of P300,000 for the said award.
The town of Mina was declared as the second-place winner while New Lucena got the third spot.
The towns were adjudged based on their environmental organization, education, engineering, enforcement, economic sustainability, pollution control program, health and sanitation, and urban space greening program.
Evaluators for the contest consisted of representatives from the PENRO, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources- Environmental Management Bureau, Department of Education, Department of the Interior and Local Government, and other non-government agencies.
According to Peñaflorida, PENRO’s four objectives for the conduct of the search are the following:
* To recognize LGUs efforts and hard work on ecological solid waste management and greening programs in the province of Iloilo
* To assess the effectiveness and sustainability of solid waste management and greening program in the province
* To increase community awareness and encourage other stakeholders to become more actively involved on environmental issues and concerns; and
* To establish and increase behavioral change among communities toward environment protection and conservation./PN
