Santa Marcela conferred with Gawad Galing Kalikasan Award 2024

Santa Marcela, Apayao- The municipality of Santa Marcela has recently received ‘Gawad Galing Kalikasan Award 2024 as a testament of its excellent strategies and approaches to environmental protection.

The prestigious recognition was conferred by the Philippine League of Local Environment and Natural Resources Officers (PLLENRO) Inc. in Malay, Aklan Boracay Island on August 13.

In a phone interview on Thursday, Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officer Benjamin D. Vega said the achievement was the outcome of the municipality’s entry from their TARNAW award program.

“Our municipality is recognized because of its commitment to environmental quality and sustainability through the Tarnaw venture, and we conform closely with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG), he stated.

TARNAW stands for ‘Taripatuen ti Aglawlaw, Responsible Nga pinangidaulo, Aywanan ken Wanawanan, and was conceptualized based on Republic Act (RA) 9003 otherwise known as “Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, which has been implemented across the locality.

Through the TARNAW award program, the 13 barangays in the municipality are mandated to be involved in best waste management practices pursuant to Municipal Ordinance No.003, Series of 2023, an Ordinance Institutionalizing the TARNAW AWARD in the Municipality of Santa Marcela, Apayao.

Vega said TARNAW program has served as an evaluation tool to asses every barangay with their compliance on proper waste management and cleanliness initiatives.

Through the program, residents were taught innovative practices such as reusing, recycling, reducing, segregation, and composting, among others, ensuring a clean and greener environment.

Moreover, TARNAW Award also provided incentives to deserving Barangay Local Government Units (BLGUs), as recognition for their leadership and good governance for leading their constituents to achieve pollution-free surroundings.

Mayor Evelyn B. Martinez and Vice-Mayor Rolly Guiang, meanwhile, lauded the officials and residents for taking an active part in the Tarnaw award which paved the way for the recognition. Quoting its benefits in public health, Martinez said it should be sustained since it is already institutionalized.

“Ituloy tayo dagitoy nga programa tayo babaen ti panagtitinnulong tapno maymaysa tayo nga mangiyaramid toi pagsayaatan ti kaadwan, aglalo nu para kagdagiti sumaruno pay a henerasyon,” said Martinez.