By Mar T. Supnad
EVEN under extreme condition, local government units should not remiss on environment programs, said the Department of Interior and Local Government, as it named three Bataan LGUs as awardees of the agency’s regional search for Manila BAYani.
Named awardees are the local government units of Balanga City, Dinalupihan and Hermosa, all in Bataan.
In adjudging as all three LGUs as “2019 Regional Manila BAYani awardees,” DILG regional director for Central Luzon Dr. Je Daquioag hinted their rehabilitation and preservation programs on environment.
On top of the citation, Daquioag announced that the awardees will receive cash prizes in the amount of P300,000 for Balanga City for being “Top performer-City category; P200,000 for Dinalupihan for notching the top spot under the municipal category; and Hermosa LGU gets P100,000 for landing on the second spot under the municipal category.”
Hermosa Mayor Jopet Inton, Dinalupihan Mayor Gila Garcia and Balanga City Mayor Francis Garcia.“It is a ‘congratulation’ for us all in Hermosa for our collectible efforts in the rehabilitation and preservation of our environment, and this will motivate us to buckle down to work for our environment,” said Mayor Jopet Inton, adding “kaya ako mahigpit sa ating environment.”
Inton earlier closed down the Econest, a sanitary landfill in Hermosa, for allegedly violating environmental laws, among others.
In Dinalupihan town, Mayor Gila Garcia, although a lady, is known for personally taking the lead in the campaign for environmental preservation, together with Balanga City Mayor Francis Garcia.
The Manila BAYani award aims to recognize LGUs that have shown exemplary performance on the implementation of their mandates and responsibilities under environmental laws and policies that support the rehabilitation of Manila Bay.