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Villar thanks DENR for ‘Manila Bay-ani Award’

By Wilnard Bacelonia

June 15, 2022, 2:02 pm

<p><strong>ENVIRONMENT CHAMPS</strong>. Recipients of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ “Manila Bay-ani Awards” pose for posterity after receiving their awards in a ceremony held at Diamond Hotel in Manila on Tuesday (June 15, 2022). This year's DENR "Manila Bay-ani Awards" ceremony focused on boosting environmental awareness among Filipinos. <em>(Photo courtesy of Office of Senator Cynthia Villar)</em></p>

ENVIRONMENT CHAMPS. Recipients of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ “Manila Bay-ani Awards” pose for posterity after receiving their awards in a ceremony held at Diamond Hotel in Manila on Tuesday (June 15, 2022). This year's DENR "Manila Bay-ani Awards" ceremony focused on boosting environmental awareness among Filipinos. (Photo courtesy of Office of Senator Cynthia Villar)

MANILA – Senator Cynthia Villar on Wednesday thanked Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for choosing her and son, Senator-elect Mark Villar, as among the recipients of the "Manila Bay-ani Award" in a ceremony at Diamond Hotel in Manila on Tuesday.

"Maraming salamat sa DENR sa pagkakaloob sa akin, kay Mark Villar at sa Villar SIPAG ng ‘Manila Bay-ani Award’ (Thank you DENR for giving me, Mark Villar, and the Villar SIPAG the ‘Manila Bay-ani Award’)," she said in a statement.

Villar said the award was given as gratitude for their commitment to protecting Manila Bay.

"Alam naman ng marami na ipinaglalaban ko talaga ang Manila Bay, lalo na sa banta ng polusyon at reklamasyon noon at hanggang ngayon (Many of you know that I really fight for the Manila Bay, particularly against the threat of pollution and reclamation, then and until now)," she said.

As the chairperson of the Senate committee on environment and natural resources and through her personal capacity, Villar said she pushed for the environment protection and preservation, climate change mitigation, and other challenges being faced by the environment.

During the World Environment Day on June 5, she encouraged everyone to be responsible and passionate to contribute and inspire others to do their own part in healing Mother Earth.

She said the people’s collective efforts will make a difference in the protection and conservation of the environment.

"All of us are being encouraged to be more connected to it, focus on living sustainably in harmony with nature, and shift our lifestyles from harming the Earth to healing it," she added.

During his stint as the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary, the younger Villar ordered the dredging and desilting of Manila Bay in 2019.

Aside from the Villars, former DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu, lawyer Rita Linda Jimeno, former DENR Undersecretary Benny Antiporda, lawyer Antonio Oposa Jr., and Congressman-Elect Edward Hagedorn also received the same awards.

This year's DENR "Manila Bay-ani Awards" ceremony focused on boosting environmental awareness among Filipinos. (PNA)

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