Baler, Aurora – Gawad Punong Lalawigan Para sa Kapaligiran (GPLK) named the winners for 2010 in the Province of Aurora last 24^th of June in Sangguniang Panlalawigan Hall, Capitol Compound, Barangay Suklayin spearheaded by the Honorable Lady Governor Bellaflor J. Angara-Castillo. Present to award the prizes with Governor Castillo were Aurora Vice Governor Gerardo A. Noveras; Ms. Alma P. Ferareza and Ms. Belly C. Cabeso for National Solid Waste Management Commission (NSWMC); RTD Juliet Texon for Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Regional Office (Region 3); Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Benjamin Miña; and Environment and Natural Resources Officer Teresa P. de Luna.

For the span of six (6) years, GPLK Team has been roaming and assessing the Municipalities, Barangays, Schools, Churches, Store/Food Establishment, and Hotel/Recreation Center yearly. This year, the team launched additional awards for offices of the province, schools and mayors.

A. Cleanest & Greenest Municipality

Divided into two (2) categories: Urban and Rural. Urban Category Winners are as follows: Baler (Php 25,000.00, Plaque & Mower); and Maria Aurora (Php 20,000.00 & Plaque). Dinalungan (Php 25,000.00, Plaque & Mower) and Dipaculao (Php 20,000.00 & Plaque) were winners in the Rural Category.

B. Cleanest & Greenest Barangay

Divided also into two (2) categories: Urban and Rural. Barangay Calabuanan of Baler bagged the first place with Php 10,000.00 in cash, plaque and mower in the urban category for the barangays. In rural category, Barangay Zone I of Dinalungan (adjudged 1^st placer) received Php 10,000.00 in cash, plaque and mower while Barangay Mucdol of Dipaculao (adjudged 2^nd placer) received Php 7,000.00 in cash and plaque.

C. Cleanest & Greenest School

This is categorized further into four (4) categories namely: Small Elementary School, Big Elementary School, High School Category and College/University Category. Each category has ten (10) finalists chosen through the 1^st assessment done early part of the year. From the Ten Finalists, five was awarded in the each category receiving the following: Php 12,000.00 in cash, plaque and mower (1^st placer); Php 10,000.00 in cash; Php 8,000.00 in cash; Php 6,000.00 in cash; Php 4,000.00 in cash all with plaques for 2^nd, 3^rd,4^th and 5^th placers.

The Nepal Commission for UNESCO visited the Province of Aurora last July 12-14, 2011. The study visit aims to learn from the Province’s best practices of Associated Schools and Network (ASPNest), Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and Community Learning Centers (CLCs). Likewise presentation of the programs of Aurora Province on Education, Tourism, Indigenous People, Culture and Arts as one of active/accredited/organizations/clubs by the UNCESCO – National Commission Philippines. Mr. Shierwin H. Taay – Provincial Government Department Head of Provincial Employment Sports Culture Arts for Youth Development Office (PESCAYDO) is the elected President of National Association of UNESCO Clubs of the Philippines Inc.