VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur (PIA) —The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) in Ilocos Sur recognized 40 individuals and institutions for their support as environment partners in an awarding ceremony held on Monday, June 26.
 
The awarding was held during the Philippine Environment Month celebration culminating program cum Family Day and 36th Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Founding Anniversary celebration conducted at Tagudin Farmers Civic Center in Tagudin town.
 
According to PENRO Ilocos Sur, the award was given to show their gratitude and appreciation for the different ENR management, conservation, and protection efforts made by their partners.
 
“Kayo po, iyong ating mga kasama sa pagpapatupad ng mandato dito sa DENR. Gusto po namin kayong pasalamatan dahil kayo po ang tumutulong sa amin upang mabantayan natin ang buong Ilocos Sur. Kung wala po kayo, hindi po namin kayang tingnan lahat ng problema,” Rosemarie Jornacion, head of PENRO Ilocos Sur said.
 

The awardees are composed of their eleven partners in the Enhanced National Greening Program (NGP), two in the Community-Based Forest Management Program (CBFMP),  twelve local government units (LGUs), three from the academe/school, one non-governmental organization (NGO), seven national government agencies (NGAs), and four media groups/individuals.
 

Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Christopher Baterina and LGU-Tagudin, awardees for the LGU partner, are finalists for the national level.

Moreover, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA)-Ilocos Sur Information Center was also conferred with the same award as a media partner.
 
Rex Novida, president of Ilocos Sur Environment Enthusiasts-Candon City Chapter and awardee for the NGO category, said “It is an honor to be given this award and actually, I am very shocked that we have many warriors tackling the problems in the environment.”
 
“To be part of this is overwhelming because [through this] I have seen that we are doing it all for our environment,” he said. (JCR/AMB/ATV, PIA Ilocos Sur)