City honors 7 journalists for environmental advocacy

The local government recently paid tribute to some seven city-based journalists who were staunch advocates for environmental preservation and protection that paved the way for the city to maintain the good state of its environment during the launching of the so-called Baguio Regreening Mural along Legarda Road.

Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong, Councilor Leandro B. Yangot and City Administrator Bonifacio dela Pena led city officials in honoring the said journalists who were represented by their family members and the partners of the local government in the successful realization of the climate action mural in memory of the staunch advocates for regreening and care for the environment.

Among the city-based journalists who were honored during the simple rites include for city Public Information officer Ramon ‘Mondacs’ S. Dacawi, former Gold Ore editor Jose Nicholas ‘Pepot’ Ilagan, former Sun Star editor Wilfredo ‘Willy’ Cacdac, former Vibrations, Sun Star and Skyland News editor Geronimo ‘Gerry’ Evangelista, former Baguio Midland Courier editor Cecile C. Afable, journalist Domescio Cimatu and former newsman Narciso ‘Nars’ Padilla.

Dacawi, Ilagan, Cimatu and Cacda were instrumental in founding the city’s famous Eco Walk program in 1992 and was recognized by the United Nations Environmental Program as the best environmental program for children. Under the said program, children are brought to the Busol watershed where they will be lectured on the importance of the trees and the environment and subsequently join in the planting and nurturing of the trees.

The posthumous awards were received by their family members: Mark Dacawi, nephew of Ramon Dacawi; Laarni Sibayan-Ilagan and sons Sam-ang and Talek for Jose Nicholas Ilagan; frank Cimatu, brother of Domescio Cimatu; lawyer Omar Evangelista, son of Geronimo Evangelista and Mary Ann Cacdac, daughter of Wilfredo Cacdac.

The local government also issued certificates of appreciation to its partners in the private sector that contributed to ensure the successful completion of the said project, particularly the officers and members of the Chamber of Real Estate Builders Association (CREBA) Baguio-Benguet chapter, the Sin-Agi artists, Davis Paints, Land Bank of the Philippines among others.

The Baguio Regreening Mural is the third mural that was launched by the local government and its partners over the past several years. – Dexter A. See