GSIS Theater, Pasay City, Metro Manila: On January 23, 2019, Centre for Sustainability PH Inc. (CSPH), a youth and women-led organization was named as one of the Ten Accomplished Youth Organization in the 16 TAYO awards. This award recognized CS’s collaborative success of declaring Cleopatra’s Needle as Critical Habitat (CNCH) – the country’s biggest Critical Habitat by 7-fold, representing some of the Philippines’ last remaining primary forest, the City’s highest mountain and largest watershed, home to countless endemic flora and fauna, and the ancestral domain of the last 200 members of the disappearing indigenous Batak tribe. The size of this equates to about 64% of the land area of the National Capital Region. The TAYO Awards is a widely recognized honor for nation-building endeavors and noteworthy youth efforts. This year, over 300 youth organizations in the Philippines vied for the award.
At the recent National Awarding ceremony, TAYO Awards Foundation President, Perci Cendana described CS as such: “Pinatunayan na wala sa bilang at dami ng kasapi ang lakas, ito ay sa tindi ng kanilang paninindigan at pagmamahal sa ginagawa” (proved that strength is not about the number and quantity of members, it is in the depths of their commitment and love of doing).” While Ms. Jessa Belle Garibay, Co-Executive Director & Co-Founder closed-off her presentation at the National Judging by quoting Margaret Mead as “never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world: indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
Apart from the prestigious recognition, winning organizations received a specially commissioned trophy sculpted by Mr. Toym De Leon Imao, and a grant of Php 50,000.00. With only 6 staff, CSPH worked with countless volunteers that dedicated 424 days of time and energy selflessly to execute the project. The grant of Php 50,000.00 will be used to continue the efforts towards lifting the conservation status of CNCH off the page, and make it a real, functioning, and protected area in practice.
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