The City Government of Davao has reorganized and reconstituted the Lunhaw Awards Search for Green Initiatives Committee and recognizes September as Lunhaw month in Davao City by virtue of Executive Order (EO) No. 48, Series of 2022.
EO 49, signed by Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte on October 3, 2022, states, “There is a need to reconstitute the Dabaw Lunhaw Awards Search for Green Initiatives Committee to ensure the continuous effective and efficient recognition of sustainable living initiatives in the City.”
The new EO cites Section 15 of the Davao City Ordinance No. 0384-10, otherwise known as the Organic Agriculture Ordinance of Davao City 2009, which states that the City Government of Davao shall give incentives, awards, and financial support to farmers, schools, and barangay local government units who pursue, promote, and practice organic farming.
It also mandated the City Agriculturist’s Office to implement the Organic Agriculture Ordinance of Davao City.
The Davao City Water District (DCWD) is a public utility mandated to supply safe and potable water to the entire City of Davao since 1973, pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 198.
The Davao Association of Catholic Schools (DACS), meanwhile, is an association that helps its member schools attain the mission of Catholic education as well as contribute to regional and national development goals, such as environmental innovative approaches to sustainable development, especially in the management and protection of Davao City’s watersheds.
The Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS) is a non-government organization (NGO), which pioneered the concept of Lunhaw Awards that recognizes green initiatives promoting sustainable living in Davao City in support of the environmental agenda of the Local Government Unit and requested a partnership with the above-mentioned offices and organizations.
With the current partnership among the CENRO, City Agriculturist’s Office CAgrO, DACS, DCWD, and IDIS, in the conduct of the Lunhaw Awards without any formal agreements, EO 49 underscores the importance of formalizing their partnership and institutionalizing them as an award-giving body;
EO 49 also cited Section 41 of the Davao City Ordinance No. 0361-10, otherwise known as the Davao City Ecological Solid Waste Management Ordinance of 2009, which provides that CENRO shall implement the incentives and reward system under the City Solid Waste Management Plan in the form of cash rewards and certificates of recognition. CENRO shall also develop other incentives and reward systems for exemplary solid waste management practices.
The Lunhaw Awards, however, shall not be limited to the conduct of an awarding ceremony but shall also include preparatory and post-activities.
The Lunhaw Month in Davao City, set every September, recognizes individuals, groups, institutions, local government units, and agencies that promote environmental protection, conservation, and sustainability in keeping with the city’s tagline, “Davao: Life is here.”
EO 49 also provides that the Lunhaw Awards recognize and honor Dabawenyos and groups with exemplary and innovative initiatives in environmental management and sustainability. It is open to all organizations, academic and business institutions, small groups or clubs, communities, households, and individuals, who have been practicing and engaging in green initiatives for at least two years.
The criteria for judging nominees include environmental benefits – 25 percent; economic benefits – 20 percent; sustainability – 20 percent;
replicability – 15 percent; innovation – 15 percent; and years of practice – five percent.
The newly-reconstituted membership of the Dabaw Lunhaw Awards Search Committee consists of the city mayor as chairperson with CENRO, CAgrO, DCWD, DACS, and IDIS as members and are mandated to designate a permanent representative.
The committee is directed to ensure the sustainable conduct of the Lunhaw Awards, abide by and implement the established guidelines in the conduct of the Lunhaw Awards; actively participate in all Lunhaw Awards events, such as but not limited to annual re-launching and culminating activities; conduct on-site validation and documentation of shortlisted entries, and develop and conduct promotional activities of recognized Lunhaw initiatives.
CENRO shall also serve as the Dabaw Lunhaw Awards Search Committee secretariat and handle all administrative and/or secretarial-related activities.
The Lunhaw Awards shall be conducted every second Friday of September each year. Its operational costs will come from the available funds of the City Government of Davao, subject to the usual accounting and auditing rules and regulations. The committee may also approve donations from partnerships with the private sector, which shall accrue to a special Trust Fund to ensure that the funds are utilized solely for the above purposes.
For the full copy of EO 49, Series of 2022, visit ? https://dcstaging.davaocity.gov.ph/transparency/executive-orders/2022-2/. CIO
