• GILBERT P. BAYORAN

The municipality of EB Magalona yesterday earned a Hall of Fame award from the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental, after winning for the third consecutive year in the Abanse Negrense Good Environmental Governance Award (ANGEGA), in the Local Government Unit (LGU) category.
The Hall of Fame award was presented to the Municipality of E. B. Magalona for the “exceptional performance of LGU in environmental governance,” signed by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson.
ANGEGA is one of the categories of the Abanse Negrense Environmental Awards, now in its third year, spearheaded by the Provincial Environment Management Office (PEMO).
PEMO held the “2023 EcoLuminaries: Abanse Negrense Environmental Awards,” ceremony at the Ayala Malls Capitol Central in Bacolod City.
In all, the EB Magalona delegation won eight awards, including five awards in ANGEGA, one award in the Negros Occidental Governor’s Conservation Achievement Award (NOGCAA) – Local Conservation Area (LCA), one award in NOGCAA – Green School Award, and one award in Abanse Babaye Para sa Dunang Manggad.
The 2023 awards conferred to the municipality of EB Magalona included, Hall of Fame for the Municipality, Environmental Champion Excellence Award for Mayor Marvin Malacon, Environmental Champion Excellence Award for MENRO-designate Jojo Vargas, Special Award – Outstanding in Community-Based Ecotourism Initiatives, and Compliant LGU in the establishment of Coastal Greenbelt Zones.
For Negros Occidental Governor’s Conservation Achievement Award (NOGCAA) – Local Conservation Area (LCA) category, 2nd Place for Best LCA Initiatives: EB Magalona Blue Crab and Bird Sanctuaries and Mangrove Reserve LCA.
For Negros Occidental Governor’s Conservation Achievement Award (NOGCAA) – Green School Award – EB Magalona National High School, for Abanse Babaye Para sa Dunang Manggad: Nelida Dajay – Best in the Management of Pasil Fisherfolks Association.
Board Member Rita Gatuslao and EMO head Atty. Julie Ann Bedrio led the distribution of awardees to the recipients.
The awards also came with cash prizes.
Executive Assistant Matthew Louis Malacon, represented his father, Mayor Marvin Malacon, in the acceptance of awards won by the municipality of EB Magalona.
In a statement, Malacon congratulated the awardees and expressed his appreciation to the Provincial Government for recognizing the commitment and leadership of the Municipal Government in championing good environmental governance.
“These significant awards will further inspire us to do more impactful initiatives and strengthen our commitment in protecting our environment,” Malacon said.*