By Alec Go
The Masungi Georeserve bagged this year’s United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG) Action Awards for Inspire category in a ceremony in Germany earlier this week.
Masungi joined finalists from Ecuador, Australia, United Kingdom, Cyprus, India, Tunisia, and Ukraine for their initiatives on sustainability that continue to make an impact, topping the list of more than 3,000 applications across 150 countries.
“You don’t know how much this means to us, at such a critical time when our work continues to be undermined and under-supported in our home country,” Masungi trustee Billie Dumaliang said in her acceptance speech.
Masungi is known for its reforestation efforts, with the UN lauding its initiatives that have since rescued over 2,000 hectares of land, established 17 ranger stations and 18 kilometers of monitoring trails.
It was also recognized for engaging 100 rangers and 200 partners, for supporting over 200 households, and the planting and nurturing of 68,000 native trees.
“The Georeserve’s efforts have helped shift public policies – as their advocacy efforts have led to 3 legislative inquiries and the issuance of 80 cease and desist orders in the watershed,” the UN noted.
Dumaliang said the award is dedicated to their partners and Masungi rangers for defending the green site, as well as to “quarry companies, land grabbers, and their enablers in government.”
“To the people who have said that we are dreaming too big, that this is the way things have always been, and that we are pushing too far. This is for you. This is a reminder that we will not stop. That we will win in the end with our energy and creativity,” she said.
The UN SDG actions awards has three categories, namely Mobilize, Inspire, and Connect.
Meanwhile, former Cauayan, Isabela Mayor Bernard Dy is among the finalists under the individual Changemaker category.
He was recognized for his “Bayanihan” concept with the use of technology through setting up free wifi areas and the creation of the Cauayan Smart City app, as well as the 17 Challenges to Every Cauayeño initiative.
Cauayan became the first smart city in the country in 2015.
“A tribute to every Cauayeño who heeded the call to be an active citizen and contribute in their own little way to create positive change,” Dy said in a Facebook post.
“We have a long way to go, but being with like minded people across the globe makes us hopeful that we can change the course of history to make a better future for generations to come,” he added. — gb
