“My biggest takeaway from the [experience] is that there is still so much good in the world, and that there are so many inspiring and passionate young men and women [who] are working for a better world, they just need bigger opportunities to make a bigger impact.”
-Neeza Fereze A Hasiman, (President- EcoWATCH)
Ateneo de Zamboanga University’s EcoWATCH, a student organization under the Social Awareness and Community Service Involvement (SACSI) Office advocating environmental awareness and conservation, finished as one of the Top 20 national finalists in the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) Awards held January 20-24, 2019, at Diamond Hotel, Manila.
The Top 20 finalists of the TAYO Awards take center stage during the awarding night held January 23, 2019 at the GSIS Theater, Manila
From more than three hundred entries from all over the country vying for the top award in five different categories (Education and Technology; Culture Arts and Heritage; Environment, Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Change Adaptation; Health, Well-being and Human Development; Livelihood and Entrepreneurship), EcoWATCH’s project “Community-Based Bamboo Propagation and Cultivation for Riverbanks Protection in Vulnerable communities in Zamboanga City” qualified under the category on Environment, Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Change Adaptation and was awarded with a trophy and 20,000 pesos cash award for being one of the Top 20 finalists.
TEAM AdZU: ECOWATCH President Neeza A Hasima (center), Teresita G Montaño ACES Director (4th from right), Welma L Omboy (3rd from right), EcoWATCH Projects Facilitator Yousef I Cali (1st from left) and EcoWATCH Alumnus Mohammad Sarajan (1st from right) with TAYO Awards Foundation Inc representatives Sen Bam Aquino (Office of the National Youth Commission Office), Maria Cecilia L Alcantara (Coca-Cola Foundation President), and Kim Lichauco (San Miguel Corporation VP for Corporate Affairs).
EcoWATCH President, Neeza Fereze A Hasiman, did the presentation for the National Judging. With her at the presentation were Dr Teresita G Montaño, Director for the newly-created Ateneo Center for Environment and Sustainability (ACES), Welma L Omboy, SACSI Program Officer for Environment, EcoWATCH Projects Facilitator Yousef I Cali, and EcoWATCH & The Beacon Publications Alumnus Mohammad Sarajan.
“EcoWATCH will continue being advocates of the well-being of the environment, but now with a stronger drive, and a bigger vision” shares Neeza when asked what’s in store for the organization after the competition.
TAYO Awards is a non-stock, non-profit organization that recognizes Filipino youth groups that have made remarkable contributions in nation-building through projects and programs that address challenges in education, environment, culture and the arts, livelihood, and health.
Photos: Mohd Sarajan, The Beacon Publications/Ecowatch
