The City Government of Himamaylan has been recognized for its environmental stewardship in the recently concluded 2023 Abanse Negrense Good Environmental Governance Awards (ANGEGA).
The city received four awards out of 12 categories, including Best Local Government Unit for Environment and Natural Resources Management, Best Local Government Unit for Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation, Best Local Government Unit for Coastal Management, and Best Local Government Unit for Environmental Education.
The awards were given by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region VI, which held its awarding ceremony on December 7 at the Himamaylan City Hall.
Himamaylan Mayor Raymund Tongson expressed his gratitude to the DENR Region VI, the provincial government, the local government units, the private sector, and the civil society organizations for their support and recognition.
He also thanked his staff and partners for their hard work and dedication in implementing various environmental programs and projects in the city.
“We are honored to receive these awards that reflect our commitment to protect our natural resources and promote sustainable development. We will continue to uphold our vision of becoming a green city that is resilient to climate change and disaster risks,” he said.
Some of the projects that contributed to Himamaylan’s environmental achievements include:
- The construction of a seawall along Barangay Poblacion to prevent flooding caused by high tides.
- The rehabilitation of mangrove forests along Barangay San Isidro to enhance coastal protection and biodiversity.
- The establishment of a waste-to-energy plant that converts organic waste into biogas and compost.
- The installation of solar panels on public buildings to reduce electricity consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
- The launch of an environmental education program that aims to raise awareness among residents about environmental issues and practices.
Tongson said that these projects are part of his administration’s efforts to address the challenges posed by climate change, such as rising sea levels, extreme weather events, droughts, landslides, and diseases.
He also said that he plans to expand these projects in other barangays and sectors in collaboration with various stakeholders.
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“We believe that by working together, we can make Himamaylan a model city that is environmentally friendly and socially inclusive. We hope that our achievements will inspire other cities in Negros Occidental and beyond,” he said.
