Butuan – This year, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Caraga Region has been chosen as one of the recipients of the Green Apple Award by The Green Organization, an independent, non-profit environment group that recognizes rewards and promotes environmental best practice around the world and is based in England.

The “Green Apple Awards 2009” is an international competition wherein, DENR Caraga placed 2nd with its entry: “Development of Protocol for the Rehabilitation of Mine-Waste Dump of Manila Mining Corporation (MMC) in Placer, Surigao del Norte.”

The project seeks to achieve 3 specific objectives namely: rehabilitate the five-hectare mine waste dump area of the Manila Mining Corporation at Barangay Suyoc, Surigao del Norte, establish a demonstration site for rehabilitation, wherein the protocol development of rehabilitating site will serve as standard guide in the country, and the third objective involves the regular monitoring, data gathering and analysis on the performance of the planted species in the site.

Other awards include The Ministry of Energy and Mines of Eritrea, Africa for its entry -Improved Stove Design who placed 1st (see table at the bottom of this article), while the Society for the Protection of Animals, in Amman, Jordan with their entry “The Educational Animal Centre” got a silver award and the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities of Karar Castle Plaza in Amman, Jordan got a gold award.

The 9th International Green Apple Awards for the Built Environment and Architectural Heritage took place at Hampton Court Palace with keen environmentalist Kate O’Mara who presented the awards.

Incidentally, DENR Regional Director Edilberto Buiser has excused himself to the organizer from attending the awarding rites due high cost of transportation fare to England and the pressing environmental issues and problems that the DENR is facing in the region.

Garnering the international prestigious award, DENR Secretary Lito Atienza Jr has expressed elation of the award considering the fact that the DENR under his leadership is promoting sustainable mining development.

The national organizer of Green Apple Award Roger Wolens said in a fax message to DENR Caraga that the nominees did particularly well to make it to the finals against some very strong competitors.

The organizer said the award-winning project will have the option of being featured in the next National Treasures guide and a chance to be presented with a prestigious Green Plaque later during a special prize-giving ceremony at the House of Commons.

Among the avid supporters of the Green Organization include the environment agency, the Chartered Institution of Wales Management, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health and various other professional groups. Source: (Mindanao)

SECTOR : INTERNATIONAL

WINNERS AWARD:

The Ministry of Energy and Mines – Improved Stove Design, Eritrea. Africa - Gold

The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, Jordan - Karar Castle Plaza, Amman. Asia - Gold

Society for the Protection of Animals, Jordan – The Educational Animal Centre, Amman. Asia - Silver

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Philippines – Rehabilitation of Mine Waste Dump, Manilla. Asia - Bronze

Source: (The Green Organisation)