DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines – This capital city of Negros Oriental finally received the prestigious Galing Pook Award for Environment for its best practices in innovating and implementing the City-wide Septage Management Program in the Philippines.
Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria said he received the award conferred by DILG Secretary Mar Roxas during ceremonies staged at LandBank Plaza in Malate, Manila last March 18.
Of the 122 cities all over the country, 16 were initially chosen to present their respective best practices. Dumaguete officials presented the city’s septage facility project located in Barangay Camanjac, said the mayor.
Aside from Dumaguete City, other winners this year were San Jose City of Nueva Ecija; Mandaluyong City, Muntinlupa City, Valenzuela City, Iloilo City, the town of Loboc in Sarangani Province and Brgy. Poblacion of Tupi town in South Cotabato.
The Dumaguete City government, under the helm of Sagarbarria, has been a recipient of four other national and regional awards: 1) the Seal of Good Housekeeping Award in 2011 for the city’s exemplary performance in administrative, social, and economic governance; 2) Gawad Pamana ng Lahi award 2012 for transparency and accountability; 3) regional’s 2012 Very Supportive LGU to Fisheries Projects; and 4) Most Promising City in Central Visayas award for its nutrition action plan and programs.
Sagarbarria has lauded the initiative and cooperation of his fellow officials, City Hall department heads and employees, and Dumaguete residents for their support in the successful implementation of the city’s various projects and services. (FREEMAN)