Tagum City Launches Duyog Awards to Honor Grassroots Environmental Heroes

A new awards program will soon celebrate local environmental efforts in Tagum City. The Duyog Awards, launching on March 30, 2026, will recognise grassroots advocates and community groups working toward sustainability. Organisers hope the initiative will bring wider attention to often-overlooked conservation work. The awards are organised by Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability Inc. (IDIS) in partnership with the Tagum City government. The name Duyog—meaning collaboration—reflects the program's focus on collective action. Nine awardees will be honoured at the inaugural ceremony on April 24, 2026, across categories like coastal management, forest conservation, and policy advocacy.

Nominations are open to barangay groups, people's organisations, and informal environmental advocates. The initiative draws inspiration from existing schemes such as the Lunhaw Awards and Banwa Awards, which also highlight local conservation efforts. Beyond recognition, the program will document best practices from awardees to help other communities adopt successful strategies.

The organisers aim to institutionalise support for grassroots environmental work. By profiling sustainable practices, they also hope to attract investment and boost tourism. Strengthening partnerships between communities, local government, and stakeholders remains a key goal. The Duyog Awards will put a spotlight on community-driven sustainability in Tagum City. Successful projects will be shared to encourage replication across the region. The first ceremony on April 24, 2026, will mark the beginning of an ongoing effort to support and expand local environmental advocacy.