The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Cordillera conferred the Gawad Kalikasan Award to Apayao during the Philippine Environment Month celebration culminating program on June 30 at the DENR compound, Baguio City.
The local government unit of Apayao was nominated for the Gawad Kalikasan Award by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau-Cordillera in appreciation of its invaluable leadership, commitment, and dedication in the implementation of environmental laws, programs, and activities that contributed to responsible mining, community health, economic upliftment, increased environmental protection and awareness, and ecological stability.
Apayao’s implementation of mining policies and proactive monitoring efforts had also contributed to the province having the highest number of declared minahang bayan in the region.
The minahang bayan is a government-allocated territory that small-scale miners can explore, develop, and exploit for commercial production while adhering to the guidelines of DENR.
Apayao’s collaborative approach, which involves various stakeholders, also ensures effective monitoring and enforcement, leading to a responsible and environmental conscious mining industry in the province. – Press release
