City of Koronadal shines in South Cotabato’s Search for Cleanest and Greenest LGU
The Government of Koronadal has achieved a notable victory in the 2024 Search for the Cleanest and Greenest LGU in South Cotabato, obtaining a coveted spot among the top three finalists. The awards were conferred during the Provincial Ecology Day and Recyclable Waste Fair on November 22, 2024, at the South Cotabato Gymnasium and Cultural Center.
The City of Koronadal emerged as the 3rd placer for this year’s Cleanest and Greenest LGU Implementer and bagged the cash prize of P350,000.00. The city also took two (2) minor awards as the Best Central Material Recovery Facility (CMRF) and the Best Roadside Beautification, pocketing the P30,000.00 cash prize for each award. Aside from this, Barangay Concepcion, the city’s entry for the barangay category, was hailed as third placer with P20,000.00 cash prize.
Supervising Environmental Management Specialist Engr. Abril Ma. A. Lebanan, who received the awards, said that it was a delightful surprise for them as well as for the City of Koronadal. Winning three awards was truly unexpected and incredibly rewarding.
“Wala gid ini namon gina-expect nga mga awards. Nakibot na lang kami nga may ma-receive kita nga awards,” Lebanan said. (We didn’t expect these awards. We were just surprised when we were informed that we were going to receive awards.)
He added that with the awards received, they were encouraged and determined to work even harder and to continue with their commitment to achieving excellence in terms of environmental management.
In September this year, the city government underwent evaluation by the Provincial Technical Search and Awards Committee, covering the period of January 2023 to June 2024. The city was assessed through the following criteria:
1. Clean and Green Governance – 60%
2. Barangay – 20%
3. Public Market -5%
4. Public Terminal – 5%
5. 10-Year Solid Waste Management Plan Implementation – 10%
As part of the preparation, the Clean and Green Technical Working Group conducted ocular visits to various LGU facilities, which include the City Terminal, City Health Center, Rizal Park, City Cemetery, Public Market, Slaughterhouse, City Nursery, the Community Garden, and Concepcion Elementary School, the city’s entry for barangay and school category. This is to ensure that the areas to be inspected were clean, well-managed, and garbage-free.
Meanwhile, City Mayor Eliordo U. Ogena beams with pride as the city continues to reap awards after awards under his administration.
“I am highly motivated, I am highly inspired, and I hope all of you will be inspired, and this will encourage all of you to work more and strive for excellence,” the mayor said.
The significant achievement in the Cleanest and Greenest LGU search of the city highlights its unwavering commitment to protect the environment and involve the community in LGU’s undertakings. This success is a testament to the positive impact that collaborative efforts can create a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable community for all.