LUNHAW AWARDS 2015 extends deadline for entries

DAVAO CITY - Buoyed by last year's recognition given by ASEAN Ministers to the City Government of Davao City for its promotion of environment-friendly initiatives, organizers of the Lunhaw Awards 2015 are optimistic that this year's batch of awards will highlight a greater number of green initiatives by Dabawenyos.

“We're extending the deadline to February so that more Dabawenyos can participate by sending in their nominations for the award. Let us help achieve the City Government's vision of an environmentally sustainable Davao City by recognizing green initatives and promoting them through the Lunhaw Awards.”, said IDIS Executive Director Mary Ann Fuertes.

The annual award, which is co-organized by the Davao Association of Colleges and Schools (DACS), the Davao City Water District (DCWD), the City Agriculturist's Office (CAO), the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) and the Interface Development Interventions (IDIS), seeks to recognize green and sustainable practices by individuals and groups.

“For the 2015 Lunhaw Awards, the categories have been expanded to include initiatives in Energy and Conservation, Marine Resource Management, Green Building and Urban Greening, Watershed-based Projects, Pollution Control, Education/Advocacy and Organic Agriculture ”,Fuertes said.

Entries will be judged on the following criteria: Environmental Benefits (25%), Economic Benefits (15%), Use of Renewable Energy (15%), Replicability (15%), Sustainability (15%), Innovation (15%) and Years of Existence/Practice (5%).                                                  
Previous winners include Jojo Rom- the father of urban container gardening (UCG) - for his promotion of organic container gardening , Balik Bukid for its farm to kitchen model of organic crop production and the Sibulan Organization of Banana Growers Multi-purpose Cooperative for its efforts in growing organic bananas for export.

Entry forms can be downloaded at the Lunhaw Awards Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/pages/LUNHAW-AWARDS/466692446783896) Deadline of entry submission is on February 6, 2015 with the awarding ceremonies to be held during the Araw ng Davao festivities on March 2015.